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Mexico and a history of playing in repeat World Cup opening fixtures | The Knowledge

The Guardian UK Wednesday 10 June 2026, 07:00 UTC By Guardian sport 1 min read
Key Points

Plus: a national first for Madrid and have Everton supplied the most former managers to World Cup 2026? Mail us with your all of your questions and answers“The opening match of the year’s World Cup is Mexico v South Africa,” notes Matt Reilly. “This was also the first game of South Africa’s World Cup in 2010.

Plus: a national first for Madrid and have Everton supplied the most former managers to World Cup 2026?

  • Mail us with your all of your questions and answers

“The opening match of the year’s World Cup is Mexico v South Africa,” notes Matt Reilly. “This was also the first game of South Africa’s World Cup in 2010. Is this the first time that an opening match of a World Cup has featured the same two teams as a previous tournament? If not, what is the most common opening fixture of a World Cup?”

The hosts South Africa drew 1-1 with Mexico in the opening game of the 2010 edition. Siphiwe Tshabalala put them ahead with a spectacular goal before Rafael Márquez scored a 79th-minute equaliser. The two sides will meet again at the Azteca on Thursday.

1950 Brazil 4-0 Mexico
Ademir 2, Jair, Baltazar

1954 Brazil 5-0 Mexico
Baltazar, Didi, Pinga 2, Julinho

1962 Brazil 2-0 Mexico
Zagallo, Pelé

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Mexico (LOCATION) World Cup (EVENT) Madrid (LOCATION) Everton (ORG) World Cup 2026 (EVENT) South Africa (LOCATION) Matt Reilly (PERSON) South Africa’s (LOCATION) a World Cup (EVENT) Siphiwe Tshabalala (PERSON) Rafael Márquez (PERSON) Azteca (LOCATION) Thursday.1950 (LOCATION) Brazil (LOCATION) Jair (PERSON)
Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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