"We recently played Korea, we know South Africa very well, but the Europeans [in the playoff] are very different, I will put my assistants to work and analyze them all to find opponents that resemble them,"
"I'm happy because we have faced those rivals before,"
"You feel a responsibility as one of the hosts to open this great event, We rely on the extra support the fans give us, and opening the event against South Africa"
Mexico will open the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City on June 11 against South Africa, with Group A also featuring South Korea and a European playoff winner. The opening match repeats the 2010 opener that ended 1-1, when Mexico advanced to the round of 16 and South Africa failed to progress. The European playoff opponent will come from Czechia, the Republic of Ireland, Denmark and North Macedonia. Recent form includes a 2-2 draw with South Korea. The coaching staff faces scouting challenges for the unknown European team. Hosting provides extra fan support and historical quarterfinal precedents from 1970 and 1986.
Read at ESPN.com
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