Watch Mexico vs South Africa live streams
Co-hosts Mexico will kickstart the biggest World Cup edition to date against South Africa in a rematch of the opening game in Johannesburg in 2010. That match ended in a draw, and Mexico's lone scorer that day, Rafael Marquez, is now part of the coaching staff and will be hoping his team can go one better this time.
The match will be played at the iconic Estadio Azteca, which is set to become the first venue to host matches at three different World Cup tournaments. It previously hosted the finals in 1970 and 1986, with Mexico reaching the quarterfinals on both occasions.
Even more important is that Javier Aguirre’s men arrive in good form. Mexico are unbeaten in their last eight matches, including impressive draws against the likes of Belgium and Portugal in March.
As for South Africa, they will be featuring at the World Cup for the first time in 16 years. Currently ranked 60th in the FIFA rankings, they will be hoping to upset the home favourites in the opening fixture.
Follow our guide below for where to watch Mexico vs South Africa live streams from anywhere with a VPN.
Mexico vs South Africa | June 11, 8pm BST / 3pm ET |
US coverage | FOX via YouTube TV, Sling, Fubo, or Fox One | Tubi (FREE) |
Free streams | ITVX (UK) | RTÉ Player (IRE) | SBS On Demand (AUS) | Tubi (US) |
Watch anywhere |
How to watch Mexico vs South Africa for free
Being the first game of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Mexico vs South Africa is free-to-air in multiple countries across the globe:
- UK: ITV (English commentary)
- United States: Tubi
- Australia: SBS On Demand (English commentary)
- Brazil: CazéTV's YouTube (no account required)
- Belgium: RTBF / VRT
- Canada: CTV (TV provider details required)
- France: M6
- Germany: ZDF
- Ireland: RTE Player (English commentary)
- Italy: Rai
- Mexico: TV Azteca
- Netherlands: NOS
- New Zealand: TVNZ
- South Africa: SABC
- Spain: RTVE
- Switzerland: SRF Play / RTS Play / RSI Play
- Turkey: TRT
If you're from one of these countries but are currently abroad and want to watch Mexico vs South Africa live, you can simply use a VPN. More details below...
Watch Mexico vs South Africa live streams from anywhere
You won't be able to watch your regular Mexico vs South Africa live streams while traveling abroad. The streaming service will spot that you're in a foreign country and block you.
You can use a VPN (virtual private network) to get around this, though. It's a straightforward piece of software that sets your device to appear as if it's in a different country, allowing you to watch any World Cup 2026 live stream from anywhere in the world.
We rate Norton VPN as one of the best VPN for streaming sport. It offers a best-in-class 60-day guarantee for all your money back if you're not happy with the service.
Watch Mexico vs South Africa live streams in the US
As mentioned above, Mexico vs South Africa in the US will be shown completely free on Tubi.
You can also watch it on FOX, which will be carrying 70 games this tournament.
If you've cut the cord, you can get Fox (or FS1 for the remaining 34 matches) through a Live TV streaming option, such as YouTube TV (free trial), Hulu+Live TV, Sling (selected cities), Fubo, or DirecTV.
Alternatively, you can tune in via FOX One, which comes with a 3-day free trial, after which it costs $19.99/month.
To access your usual streaming service from outside the US, you'll need to download a good VPN, as detailed above.
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Watch Mexico vs South Africa live streams in the UK
Mexico vs South Africa is free-to-air in the UK on ITV1 and ITVX, and all you need is a valid TV license to stream the match from anywhere, completely FREE.
Outside the UK during the opening night? Use Norton VPN to watch Mexico vs South Africa as if you were back at home.
Watch Mexico vs South Africa live streams in Australia
Mexico vs South Africa will be broadcast for free in Australia, thanks to SBS.
Cord-cutters can catch all the action via the SBS On Demand streaming service and app.
Again, you'll need to use a safe, reliable VPN to access SBS On Demand when traveling abroad.
Watch Mexico vs South Africa live streams in Canada
Football fans in Canada can watch Mexico vs South Africa free on CTV.
The match will also be available to watch on TSN, as well as its online streaming platform TSN+, which costs CA$8 per month or CA$80 per year.
TSN will have all 104 games from this tournament with CTV only carrying a selection.
Traveling outside Canada? Use Norton VPN to watch Mexico vs South Africa as if you were back at home.
Mexico vs South Africa: Q+A
What time does Mexico vs South Africa start?
Mexico vs South Africa kicks-off at 8pm BST / 3pm ET on Thursday, June 11. That's 5am AEST on Friday, June 12 in Australia.
What are the squads for Mexico vs South Africa?
Mexico
Goalkeepers: Raul Rangel (Guadalajara), Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol), Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna).
Defenders: Jorge Sanchez (PAOK), Israel Reyes (Club America), Cesar Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Johan Vasquez (Genoa), Jesus Gallardo (Toluca), Mateo Chavez (AZ).
Midfielders: Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Orbelin Pineda (AEK Athens), Alvaro Fidalgo (Real Betis), Roberto Alvarado, Brian Gutierrez, Luis Romo (Guadalajara), Edson Alvarez (West Ham), Obed Vargas (Atletico Madrid), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), Luis Chavez (Dynamo Moscow).
Forwards: Cesar Huerta (Anderlecht), Alexis Vega (Toluca), Julian Quinones (Al-Qadsiah), Guillermo Martinez (UNAM), Armando Gonzalez (Guadalajara), Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan), Raul Jimenez (Fulham).
South Africa
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates).
Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Khulumani Ndamane (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Nkosinathi Sibisi, Kamogelo Sebelebele (both Orlando Pirates), Ime Okon (Hannover), Samukele Kabini (Molde FK), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire).
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela).
Forwards: Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Relebohile Mofokeng (all Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley), Iqraam Rayners, Themba Zwane (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol).
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