The wait for the 2026 World Cup is almost over.
Co-hosts Mexico face South Africa in first of 104 matches.
Since the World Cup switched to a single opening game - instead of multiple matches kicking off the tournament at the same time - this will be the first time the first fixture is the same as a previous edition.
Mexico and South Africa also opened the 2010 World Cup, with the game ending in 1-1.
Mexico have left no stone unturned in their preparations for this tournament. They have contested 22 matches in the past year, 10 more than leading European sides will play in the same period leading into this World Cup.
Head coach Javier Aguirre has used 54 different players in that time, fewer than half of whom made the final cut. Those that did should be well drilled by now, especially the 12 who play for Mexican clubs.
Most of them had to report for training early on 6 May or face exclusion. It was controversial, as it ruled several out of Mexico’s end-of-season league play-offs, but it means some squad members have already been in camp for over five weeks.
Wolves striker Raul Jimenez starts for co-hosts Mexico. Seventeen-year-old defender Gilberto Mora, the youngest player at the World Cup, is among the substitutes and will become the second youngest player to appear at a finals if he gets on.
Mexico XI: Rangel, Montes, Vasquez, Reyes, Gallardo, Lira, Fidalgo, Alvarado, Gutierrez, Jimenez, Quinones.
Subs: Acevedo, Ochoa, Sanchez, Alvarez, Chavez, Romo, Pineda, Vargas, Mora, Chavez, Vega, Gimenez, Gonzalez, Huerta, Martinez.
South Africa, playing their first match at a finals since they hosted the 2010 competition, name Burnley striker Lyle Foster in their starting XI.
South Africa XI: Williams, Modiba, Mbokazi, Sibisi, Mudau, Okon, Mokoena, Sithole, Adams, Foster, Rayners.
Subs: Chaine, Goss, Matuludi, Ndamane, Kabini, Makhanya, Sebelebele, Cross, Mbatha, Appolis, Moremi, Mofokeng, Zwane, Maseko, Makgopa.
