GROUP STAGE — Group AFri, Jun 19, 01:00 AM
Estadio Akron, Guadalajara

Match Preview

Mexico vs South Africa – World Cup 2026: Date and time as blockbuster tournament begins with repeat of 2010 opener

THE 2026 World Cup is edging ever closer with Mexico taking on South Africa in the opening match of the tournament. The co-hosts raise the curtain on the biggest spectacle in sport as the 104-game extravaganza begins in Mexico City. Coincidentally, the reverse of this fixture was the opening game of the 2010 World Cup when South...

AI What to Watch

AI-powered preview coming soon. Will highlight key matchups, tactical battles, and players to watch.

No match events yet

Match statistics not available yet

Match Coverage (760)

GdS: ‘Very dear goals’ – the worrying numbers behind Milan and Juventus’ striker issues

By: Oliver Fisher AC Milan and Juventus share a problem: they both cannot get goals from their forwards, despite having spent a lot to assemble the respective casts. La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) begin an analysis by putting Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic to one side, because they are wingers forced into the striker role by Massimiliano […] The post GdS: ‘Very dear goals’ – the worrying numbers behind Milan and Juventus’ striker issues appeared first on SempreMilan.

1d agoOther
World Cup host Mexico pledges security at tourist sites after shooting

Mexican president admits the archaeological site outside Mexico City lacked security measures to prevent the attack.

World Cup co-host Mexico ramps up security at tourist sites after shooting

Mexico’s government said it was bolstering security at tourist sites after a man opened fire on tourists at pyramids outside Mexico City less than two months before the Fifa World Cup. The Monday shooting, carried out by a lone gunman on top of one of the Teotihuacan pyramids – a Unesco World Heritage Site and one of Mexico’s most frequented tourist attractions – killed one Canadian tourist and injured a dozen more. It also set off a flurry of questions the next morning by reporters to Mexican...

Barcelona legend Rafael Marquez to take over as Mexico coach after FIFA World Cup 2026

Rafael Marquez is one of the most accomplished Mexican players in international history, captaining the country in all FIFA World Cups between 2002 and 2018.

FIFA World Cup 2026 prep hit by security concerns after Mexico shooting

Teotihuacan attack puts spotlight on Mexico’s safety measures as it prepares to co-host the FIFA World Cup.

Homophobic chant resurfaces in Mexico stadiums weeks before World Cup

A homophobic chant has been heard inside Mexico stadiums in recent weeks

2d agoOther
Why coach Javier Aguirre will leave Mexico regardless of 2026 World Cup result

Mexico will change coaches once the 2026 FIFA World Cup concludes, bringing Javier Aguirre’s tenure to an end. Mexico will be one of the three hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer, which brings both an advantage and added pressure for the national team. Javier Aguirre will lead that challenge, but his time in charge will end once the tournament wraps up, paving the way for Rafael Marquez. “His contract is signed and about 80% of his coaching staff is already set,” said Duilio Davino, sporting director of the Mexico national team, regarding Marquez’s arrival in a recent interview with Fox Sports. This means Mexico will undergo a coaching change after the World Cup, regardless of the result they achieve during the tournament. That plan has been in place since Aguirre’s hiring, as he took over in July 2024 following the disappointing Copa America campaign, replacing Jaime Lozano, who had stepped in as interim manager after Diego Cocca’s early departure. The announced end of Aguirre’s tenure, however, does not suggest a lack of confidence in the team’s outlook. “Javier has plenty of time, he has built a strong relationship with the players and knows how to manage them. We will compete, no doubt,” Davino said. “We want the fans to feel connected to the team—that’s what I want most—and to go as far as possible.” Javier Aguirre, coach of Mexico and Rafael Marquez, Assistant Coach. The sporting director also expressed satisfaction with Mexico’s performances in March friendlies against Portugal and Belgium, which ended in draws. However, he urged caution when setting expectations ahead of the World Cup: “When we lost to Colombia (0-4 in October 2025), we weren’t a disaster, and now we’re not semifinalists just because of these matches.” Rafa Marquez has the credentials to manage Mexico The appointment of Rafael Marquez as Mexico’s next head coach has drawn little opposition. He brings qualities that make him a logical candidate for the role: he was a legendary player, with five World Cup appearances for the national team, starred at FC Barcelona, and currently serves as Javier Aguirre’s assistant. “Off the field, Rafa has a strong personality, and today as an assistant coach he’s the same as he was as a player. He transforms in the locker room—he comes out of the shower and he’s the Rafa he’s always been,” Davino said in the same interview. ‘ESTÁ FIRMADO EL CONTRATO DE RAFA MÁRQUEZ Y EN UN 80% CERRADO SU CUERPO TÉCNICO’ 🤝📜 Duilio Davino conversó con @FABIANESTAY10 a quien aseguró la continuidad de Rafael Márquez en la Selección Mexicana, pasando de auxiliar a DT tras el Mundial 2026 🔥#FSRadioMX pic.twitter.com/CVHg0HNKBA — FOX Sports MX (@FOXSportsMX) April 20, 2026 The sporting director also acknowledged that another Mexico legend could join Marquez’s staff: Andres Guardado. The 39-year-old former midfielder retired in 2025 with Club Leon and could be part of this new chapter. “Andres is an option. I’d like him to say it himself, but he could be a very good option,” Davino admitted.

Kaka backing Gimenez despite ‘difficulties’ at Milan: “Allegri has faith in him”

By: Oliver Fisher Ricardo Kaka has voiced his support for Santiago Gimenez, revealing his belief that he can still return to his best form with AC Milan. It has been a difficult campaign for Gimenez, who played for the first few weeks through pain in his ankle which then required surgery as a more long-term fix. He returned […] The post Kaka backing Gimenez despite ‘difficulties’ at Milan: “Allegri has faith in him” appeared first on SempreMilan.

Capello explains why Juventus are in better form than Milan and suggests three signings

By: Oliver Fisher Fabio Capello has previewed the big upcoming game between AC Milan and Juventus, while offering some advice ahead of the summer. Milan and Juventus are both on course to do what they set out to at the beginning of the season: to qualify for the Champions League. The Rossoneri have an eight-point cushion over Como […] The post Capello explains why Juventus are in better form than Milan and suggests three signings appeared first on SempreMilan.

Showing 11-20 of 760 articles