World Cup 2026: Aguirre seeks redemption as Mexico prepare for opener against South Africa

Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre will have more than just a winning start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup on his mind when his side faces South Africa national football team in the tournament’s opening match.

The clash will rekindle memories of two previous encounters that proved costly for the veteran coach. South Africa and Mexico are set to meet in a repeat of the opening fixture of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Johannesburg, where Aguirre was also in charge of the Mexican national team.

Aguirre’s tenure with Mexico in 2010 ultimately ended in disappointment after the team failed to progress beyond the Round of 16. Nearly a decade later, South Africa again played a significant role in his managerial fortunes when Bafana Bafana stunned hosts Egypt national football team in the Round of 16 of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. The defeat effectively brought Aguirre’s spell as Egypt coach to an end.

Reflecting on those previous meetings, Aguirre acknowledged South Africa’s progress and the challenges they pose ahead of the highly anticipated World Cup opener.

“South Africa has done very well; they beat me in the Africa Cup of Nations when I coached Egypt, and we faced each other with Mexico years ago. They are improving with some players abroad,” Aguirre told Enfoque Noticias.

The Mexican coach stressed that his side would not underestimate Hugo Broos’ men despite entering the tournament as one of the favourites to advance from the group stage.

“Let’s hope this is the one. We respect them a lot,” Aguirre said, according to TVN.

“The team is in its best physical, athletic and mental shape.”

Aguirre went on to praise South Africa’s unique style of play, highlighting the tactical influence of head coach Hugo Broos.

“South Africa is a tough team. It doesn’t really have the African style, nor the European one,” he said.

“It’s a mix, with a Belgian coach who knows a lot about tactical work.”

The opening match promises to be a fascinating contest as Mexico seek a winning start on home soil while South Africa aim to upset the hosts and make an early statement on the global stage. For Aguirre, victory would not only launch Mexico’s campaign in ideal fashion but also help erase memories of two painful defeats inflicted by Bafana Bafana in the past.