Mexico and South Africa face each other in the opening match of the World Cup The World Cup has three venues: Canada, the United States and Mexico. In Mexico City, the ball starts rolling this Thursday (11). "We are here outside the Azteca Stadium and, until just now, I was able to hear on the sound system the rehearsal of the opening ceremony, which will take place this Thursday (11), before the game between Mexico and South Africa. What is also happening now - and we have images to show - is the training of the South African team. About a kilometer from here, at the América training center, one of the most popular clubs in Mexico. Walking through the streets of Mexico City in the last few days, we have noticed people's joy at hosting the World Cup for the third time. But there are also many pockets of protest against President Claudia Sheinbaum's government. There are different sectors of society - such as teachers, rural workers and people who have nowhere to live. For this reason, there is a risk, not yet confirmed by FIFA, that the city's main Fun Fest - that gathering point for fans - will not be opened this Thursday (11). 📱Bookmark g1 on Google and follow the main news of the day Despite all this, the World Cup will start with a clash that has history: a duel that opened the competition 16 years ago. When the weather is good, football training can even turn into basketball practice. The Mexican team is at home, in the federation's high-performance center, which is just 15 km away from the opening stadium of the World Cup, Azteca, renamed “Mexico City” by FIFA for the World Cup period. This team is also a meeting of generations. There is goalkeeper Ochoa, one of eight forty-year-olds who will compete in the World Cup, and there is the youngest player in the competition, striker Gilberto Mora, 17 years old. "It's a dream come true. To be honest, I don't give much importance to it all. I just try to be myself on the pitch and play my usual football", says Gilberto Mora, Mexico striker. He was just one year old when Mexico faced Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira's South Africa in the opening game of the 2010 World Cup, at the South Africans' home ground. That match ended in a 1-1 draw - and with a great goal from Tshabalala. Mexico's coach is the same as that game 16 years ago. Javier Aguirre only has one remaining player from the 2010 group, goalkeeper Guilhermo Ochoa. The two have a much greater responsibility in this reunion with the South Africans. The Mexican coach said that his players will need to maintain emotional control in front of almost 100,000 people and with millions connected: “This will be essential to achieve a positive result”, says Javier Aguirre, Mexico coach. World Cup: Mexico and South Africa face each other in the opening game National Newspaper/ Reproduction For the South African team, everything in Mexico is new. The country has not played in a World Cup since 2010. All 26 players are World Cup debutants. Only seven of them play for foreign clubs - like striker Lyle Foster, who plays for English football. Midfielder Teboho Mokoena says they want to enjoy the experience, and enjoying the experience at a World Cup means being competitive and moving on to the next stage. History says that South Africans know how to make the most of every minute at a World Cup. GloboPop: click to see videos from the Jornal Nacional stage READ ALSO Home of Jornal Nacional at the World Cup is in the heart of Manhattan Island, in New York Discover Globo’s latest coverage of the 2026 World Cup Special series on the essence of Brazilian football highlights the talent of our players JN series on the virtues of the only five-time champion team in the world highlights the race of the Brazilian player Last chapter of JN's special series exalts the creativity of Brazilian players Carlo Ancelotti's path to the Brazilian national team is full of achievements; get to know