The great expectation for the kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has a certain name to lead the offensive sector of the home team. Experienced center forward Raúl Jiménez, who currently defends the colors of Wolverhampton Wanderers in English football, was the athlete chosen by coach Javier Aguirre to be Mexico’s main weapon in the opening clash against South Africa. The historic clash is scheduled for this Thursday, the 11th, with the match scheduled to start at 4pm, following the Brasília time zone. The stage chosen for this moment could not be more emblematic: the legendary Azteca Stadium, located in Mexico City, which achieves an unprecedented feat in global sport by hosting the opening of a World Cup for the third time in its rich history, repeating the memorable festivities of the 1970 and 1986 editions.
Born in the city of Tepeji del Río de Ocampo, in the Hidalgo region, the athlete born on May 5, 1991, built a career based on extreme physical imposition, resilience and tactical intelligence within the penalty area. At 1.88m tall, Raúl Alonso Jiménez Rodríguez dominates the aerial game and has a keen eye for goal, characteristics that have made him a true reference for local fans over the last decade. Currently, the player occupies the prestigious position of the national team’s third-highest scorer of all time, accumulating more than 45 balls in the net in an impressive resume that already exceeds the mark of 120 official call-ups. Reaching this tournament hosted in his own country crowns the trajectory of a professional who overcame severe adversity in the past and now assumes the role of undisputed leader of the Mexican dressing room.
International background and the veteran’s impact on the tactical scheme
The 35-year-old striker’s professional journey is marked by consistent, high-level spells in some of the main leagues on the European continent. After emerging with great prominence at Club América, he built a solid reputation wearing the shirts of Benfica, in Portugal, and Fulham, in England, before consolidating his recent return to Wolverhampton, the club where he enjoyed the peak of his physical form. During the 2025/2026 season of the demanding Premier League, the athlete demonstrated that his advanced age by the sport’s standards did not diminish his performance, delivering decisive performances and fundamental goals, in addition to shining in continental tournaments such as the Gold Cup. This edition of the FIFA championship represents his fourth participation in football’s biggest event, adding to the 2014, 2018 and 2022 campaigns, which gives him a unique experience to absorb the pressure of performing in front of a passionate crowd.
Inserted in Group A of the competition, the Mexican squad carries natural favoritism in the bracket, which also houses the dangerous teams from South Korea and the Czech Republic. The massive support from the stands will be a determining factor in the team’s performance, with an official estimate of more than 87 thousand spectators filling the sports complex to push the team towards the first three points. In this extremely demanding scenario, which marks the debut of the new expanded format of the championship with 48 participants, the number 9’s role goes far beyond simply finishing the plays. He will have the complex responsibility of acting as a classic pivot, retaining possession of the ball in the attacking field, dragging the marking of the opposing defenders and creating precious spaces for the infiltrations of midfielders who arrive at speed.
Tactical formations prepared for the opening clash of the tournament
The commanders of both nations have already designed their strategies for the clash, seeking to balance the natural anxiety of a debut with the need to maintain a completely solid defensive system. The home team must rely on an offensive formation to suffocate the opponent from the opening minutes, while the African visitors prepare a scheme focused on quick transitions, exploring counterattacks and intense filling of the midfield sector to make it difficult for the home team to create plays.
- Mexico squad in 4-3-3 formation: Goalkeeper Raúl Rangel starts the match, protected by a defensive line made up of Jorge Sánchez, who competes for the spot with Israel Reyes, as well as César Montes, Johan Vásquez and Jesús Gallardo. The creative sector will have Erik Lira, Álvaro Fidalgo, with Edson Álvarez as an alternative, and Roberto Alvarado, providing the attacking trio formed by Brian Gutiérrez, centralized Raúl Jiménez and Julián Quiñones.
- South Africa team in 4-2-3-1 formation: Ronwen Williams takes over the goal. The defense features Khuliso Mudau, Mothobi Mvala, with Okon as an option on the bench, Nkosinathi Sibisi and Aubrey Modiba. The protection of the area is the responsibility of Teboho Mokoena and Sphephelo Sithole, while the formation will have Themba Zwane, Elias Mokwana, competing for position with Oswin Appollis, and Oswin Appollis himself in another role, seeking to serve the isolated striker Lyle Foster.
Unprecedented presence of Brazilian referees in the opening game
The opening whistle of this gigantic sporting event will have a South American accent, marking a moment of enormous prestige for the refereeing of the Brazilian Football Confederation. Judge Wilton Pereira Sampaio from Goiás was the professional appointed by the arbitration committee of the sport’s highest entity to conduct the 90 minutes of the opening match. He will be accompanied on the sidelines by compatriot assistants Bruno Pires and Bruno Boschilia, forming an all-Brazilian trio on the Azteca pitch. This lineup enters directly into the competition’s historical records, as it represents the first occasion in which a referee born in Brazil receives the honor and immense responsibility of mediating the first game of a World Cup edition.
Broadcast alternatives for Brazilian fans to follow live
Fans of Breton sports residing in the country will have a wide range of options so as not to miss any detail of this international spectacle. On open television, complete coverage will be provided by TV Globo and the SBT network, guaranteeing free access to the match for millions of viewers across the country. For audiences who prefer subscription channels or digital platforms, SporTV, NSports and the ge portal, through the Globoplay service, will show the full confrontation with in-depth tactical analysis. The internet environment will also feature CazéTV broadcasting, made available through YouTube, expanding the range of screens for the public to watch the start of the world championship.
