World Cup 2026: South Africa prepare to face co-hosts Mexico

The 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway with hosts Mexico taking on South Africa in the opening match at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Mexico are favourites and will be buoyed by home support and a strong World Cup record on home soil. South Africa arrive full of confidence after an impressive qualifying campaign and are hoping to make a statement on their return to football's biggest stage.

Expected to play a crucial role is South Africa's captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, whose performances over the past two years have established him as one of Africa's leading players. He spoke to Isaac Fanin about the challenge of facing the hosts and why leading Bafana Bafana in the first game means so much to him and his family.

More than the Score brings you more than the men’s football World Cup - the new teams, standout stars, trends and fandoms shaping the tournament in ways the stats don’t show. With 48 teams competing across Mexico, the US and Canada, BBC World Service promises to take you deeper - from the group stages to the final. Search for More than the Score wherever you get your BBC podcasts.