The biggest football festival on the planet will kick off with the match between Mexico and South Africa. More than just the opening match of Group A, this is also a milestone marking the most special World Cup in history, on an unprecedented scale.
The 2026 World Cup will be held in three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and will for the first time expand to 48 participating teams. The number of matches will increase to 104, promising a month of exciting and captivating competition for fans worldwide .
As one of the three co-hosting nations, Mexico has the honor of playing the opening match in front of a passionate home crowd. The home advantage and consistent form give the CONCACAF representative an edge over South Africa. Coach Javier Aguirre's team is showing a very positive performance, maintaining an unbeaten streak and having just secured a resounding victory against Serbia in their pre-tournament warm-up match.
Besides the home advantage, Mexico also boasts an experienced squad with many players who have competed in major tournaments. Names like Guillermo Ochoa, Edson Alvarez, and Raul Jimenez are expected to play a leading role in their journey to conquer the World Cup on home soil.
Meanwhile, South Africa returns to the World Cup after a 16-year absence. While not as highly rated as their opponents, the African team remains well-organized and always plays with a strong fighting spirit. Under the guidance of coach Hugo Broos, South Africa has developed a disciplined style of play and is ready to spring a surprise if Mexico becomes complacent.
Experts predict that the home team will likely proactively push forward in attack from the opening minutes to seek an early goal, creating a favorable psychological momentum for their journey in the tournament. Recent statistics show that matches involving both Mexico and South Africa often feature goals in the first half, promising an open game on the opening day.
Beyond its professional significance, the Mexico-South Africa match also opens a new chapter in World Cup history. This is the first World Cup to adopt the 48-team format, and it may also be the last time fans will witness some of the world's biggest football stars participating in this prestigious tournament. Therefore, the tournament's appeal is spreading strongly even before kick-off.
With home advantage, a superior squad, and the support of tens of thousands of fans in the stands, Mexico was predicted to win their opening match. However, the World Cup is always a place where surprises can happen at any time.
What fans are most looking forward to is not just the win-loss result, but also a spectacular football feast with plenty of goals to kick off the more than month-long journey of the biggest sporting event on the planet.
According to many expert predictions, Mexico is capable of winning by a significant margin, but South Africa also has a chance to score, promising an emotional opening match.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/khai-man-world-cup-2026-lich-tuong-thuat-chi-tiet-104-tran-tren-cac-kenh-cua-vtv-196260611082341018.htm
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