Mexico vs South Africa talkSPORT tips – Bet builder and expert advice on World Cup opener

Co-hosts Mexico and South Africa raise the curtain on the 2026 World Cup at the Estadio Azteca.

The eyes of the world will be on the opening fixture of the tournament and Mexico and South Africa are fancied to deliver an entertaining contest.

We have a four-leg bet builder for the opening World Cup 2026 clash which pays out at odds of 7/2.

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Mexico v South Africa Bet Builder – 7/2

• 23+ shots
• Both teams to score
• Edson Alvarez 1+ tackles
• Teboho Mokoena 1+ tackles
  7/2

Estadio Azteca braced for action

South Africa warmed up for the World Cup with a 0-0 friendly draw with Nicaragua, but the scoreline is deceptive.

Bafana Bafana recorded 86 per cent possession and hit 22 efforts on goal in Orlando and Hugo Broos’ men are a side which look to go on the front foot.

South Africa averaged 15.5 shots in four matches at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year and a ding-dong battle against Mexico looks likely.

El Tri will be roared on by an expected home crowd and Javier Aguirre’s men are fresh from Thursday’s 5-1 hammering of Serbia.

Mexico haven’t been in competitive action for some time, with all of their last 14 matches having been friendly contests, but the co-hosts have hit 46 efforts on goal in their last three games and they are likely to go toe-to-toe with South Africa.

Raul Jimenez is an experienced and solid striker, while there are good options in wide areas, with Alexis Vega, Roberto Alvarado, Julian Quinones, Brian Gutierrez and German Berterame in contention to flank the Fulham forward.

Taking 23+ shots and both teams to score can get a four-leg bet builder rolling.

Alvarez may lose his head

Edson Alvarez is likely to operate at the base of Mexico’s midfield and the enforcer should make at least one tackle.

The Fenerbahce man is averaging a whopping 3.28 tackles per 90 minutes in the Turkish top-flight this season, it was 3.16 in three European games and 2.33 during Mexico’s CONCACAF Gold Cup triumph last year.

South Africa will carry a threat on the break, which may force Alvarez into defensive challenges and the 28-year-old rates a banker to make at least one tackle.

Mokoena heading for trouble

South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena averaged 1.67 tackles per 90 minutes in the South Africa Premiership this season and the 29-year-old was playing for a Mamelodi Sundowns side pushing for the title.

Mokoena will have more defensive duties at the World Cup and the Sundowns star put in five tackles in four Africa Cup of Nations games at the start of the year.

The South African is another midfield anchorman, who should make at least one challenge in Mexico City.

A four-leg bet builder pays out at 7/2 and the bet can get the World Cup off to a winning start.

le Iraq held Spain to a draw last time out and could get the better of Venezuela, who were beaten by Turkey on Saturday and will not be at this year’s World Cup.

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Odds correct at time of publish and subject to change.

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