The start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is getting closer, and with it, the anticipation and excitement surrounding the opening match continue to grow. There are just under two months to go, plus a couple of days, before the tournament kicks off on June 11, when the Mexico national football team opens the competition at home against the South Africa national football team, in a setting that is already beginning to give meaning to every step leading up to it.
Along that preparation path, the most recent reference point came last Saturday, March 28, when Mexico played out a scoreless draw against Portugal at Estadio Banorte. Beyond the result, the match left mixed impressions: there were moments of attacking intent, but also a lack of precision, which led to boos from their own fans at different stages of the game.
But the preparation is far from over
That context does not mark an ending, but rather a continuation. Today, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, the team returns to action to face Belgium at Soldier Field in Chicago, in a match that not only closes out the month but also represents another direct test to evaluate adjustments and responses on the field.
Preparation will continue in the coming weeks, with fixtures such as the clash against Ghana on May 22 at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla, Mexico.
A match that is getting closer and closer
As the calendar moves forward, the focus inevitably shifts toward June, where Mexico will take center stage, a condition that raises expectations and turns every decision into part of a preparation that must hold firm from the very first minute of the tournament.
The opponent is no stranger to that context either. Mexico and South Africa have faced each other four times, with one particular memory still standing out: the 1-1 draw in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup. That result remains a reminder of what it means to begin a World Cup under maximum attention.
Today, the demands are different. If Mexico wants to aim for more than just participation, it will need to build a clear structure, maintain consistency, and arrive with a defined identity.
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