Mexico defender Johan Vásquez has cautioned his teammates against taking South Africa lightly ahead of their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that Bafana Bafana possess enough quality to trouble any opponent on football’s biggest stage.
The highly anticipated Group Stage clash will take place at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on Thursday evening, with the hosts looking to begin their campaign on a positive note in front of their passionate supporters.
While many football pundits have tipped Mexico as favourites due to their rich World Cup pedigree and home advantage, Vásquez believes South Africa deserve respect for the progress they have made under head coach Hugo Broos.
Bafana Bafana arrive at the tournament as one of Africa’s most improved national teams. Since Broos took charge, South Africa have undergone a remarkable transformation, becoming a difficult side to beat and earning admiration for their disciplined and organised style of play.
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Their rise has been highlighted by a bronze-medal finish at the Africa Cup of Nations and a string of impressive performances against some of the continent’s strongest teams. A key feature of the squad is the strong domestic core, with the majority of players plying their trade in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League, helping create chemistry and understanding within the team.
Speaking ahead of the encounter, the 27-year-old Genoa centre-back acknowledged the threat posed by the African side and stressed the importance of approaching the match with caution.
“We respect all our opponents, not just South Africa, who we know are a very physical opponent, a strong opponent who will counter-attack well,” Vásquez told ESPN.
“We are aware of all their situations, and we must always treat them with respect.”
The defender also revealed that Mexico are not looking too far ahead in the tournament despite being among the favourites to progress from the group.
Instead, El Tri are focused on taking each match as it comes, beginning with the challenge presented by Broos’ men.
Vásquez’s comments underline the growing respect South Africa have earned on the international stage in recent years. Although Mexico will enter the match as favourites, there is a clear recognition within their camp that Bafana Bafana have the ability to cause problems if given opportunities.
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For South Africa, a positive result against the hosts would provide a massive boost to their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.
More importantly, it would serve as further proof of the progress made under Broos and offer the perfect start to what they hope will be a memorable World Cup campaign.
With both teams eager to begin their tournament on a high, an intriguing battle awaits in Mexico City as Bafana Bafana seek to upset the odds against the host nation.