Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre is set for a revenge-tinged reunion when his side face South Africa in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup on June 11, following a painful defeat to Bafana Bafana earlier in his career.

Aguirre previously suffered a major setback while managing Egypt, when South Africa eliminated the hosts from the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in the Round of 16 — a result that stunned Egyptian football.

Egypt had entered the tournament with high expectations after finishing as runners-up in the previous edition and once again reaching the final in 2021, but their hopes of lifting the trophy on home soil were ended by Thembinkosi Lorch’s late goal in Cairo. The defeat ultimately cost Aguirre his job.

Reflecting on that experience, Aguirre acknowledged South Africa’s strength and warned that the upcoming encounter will be a difficult challenge.

“South Africa have done well and beat me in the African Cup,” he said. “They are a strong team, not exactly with an African style, but a mix with European football. They have a Belgian coach and some interesting players. I have the utmost respect for them. It won’t be easy.”

It is often said that there are two matches every player dreams of at a World Cup — the opening game, watched by a global audience, and the final itself.

Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre is hoping that the tournament opener at the Azteca Stadium in a week’s time will rise to the occasion and deliver a memorable spectacle.

“Let’s hope it is a good one and lives up to the occasion,” he said.

Aguirre has also highlighted the importance of playing on home soil for Mexico, previously describing home advantage as “priceless”.

“That’s what I tell my players, playing at home is priceless,” he said. “England were champions at home and never again. I have a lot of faith that the fans will encourage us, help us, and that the whole country will be behind us.”

Asked about any nerves ahead of the tournament, Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre said he is instead embracing the experience with excitement and gratitude.

“Neither one (nervous) nor the other (anxious),” he said. “I’m genuinely excited. I’m one of the lucky ones, truly lucky.

“We are in our best physical, athletic and even mental shape. The players are very excited. None of them has experienced anything like this before. We’re all eager for the moment to arrive.”

Mexico will play Serbia in their final warm-up match on Thursday, following a narrow 1-0 win over Australia in their previous outing.

Elsewhere, South Korea — Bafana Bafana’s final Group A opponents — continued their strong preparations with a 1-0 victory over El Salvador on Wednesday. That result came after a dominant 5-0 win against Trinidad and Tobago in their opening friendly.

South Africa will conclude their build-up against Jamaica on Friday, with hopes that left-back Aubrey Modiba will return to fitness after recovering from a hamstring injury.