Mexico and South Africa are set to face each other in Group A of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Both teams won their first games, and this match is very important for both teams. Before the important match, we have to look at what the head-to-head record of both teams against each other is.
How It All Started
Mexico and South Africa have met eleven times in international football. Their first was in February 1981 when Mexico won that match one-sidedly with 4-0. The Mexico team is on fire; they scored 12 goals in their first four games against South Korea from 1981 to 1989.
With the one-sided result, South Korea improved a lot as a football nation and started to compete better against Mexico. The two sides have faced each other in friendlies, the FIFA World Cup, the FIFA Confederations Cup and even at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Their World Cup Games
The two sides’ biggest clashes have come in the FIFA World Cup. They have met twice, and Mexico has won both times. Mexico and South Korea met twice in the World Cup, and this was the third time when both teams had a clash in the FIFA World Cup. The first clash between them was in 1988 in France. Mexico came from behind to defeat Korea 3-1 with a strong second-half performance. South Korea went home without a single win, and Mexico qualified for the next stage.
They met again 20 years later at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Carlos Vela and Javier Hernandez both scored in Mexico’s 2-1 victory. Son Heung-min scored late for South Korea, but it was not enough. Mexico has never been beaten by South Korea at the World Cup.
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South Korea’s Best Against Mexico
South Korea has had some good results too but Mexico has a strong record. Their first victory came in the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, with a 2-1 victory over Mexico on home soil. Five years later, in 2006, they beat Mexico 1-0 in a friendly. South Korea has only two wins in this rivalry, but they show that Korea can beat Mexico when they play their best football.
Head-to-Head Record at a Glance
| Stat | Number |
| Total Games Played | 11 |
| Mexico Wins | 7 |
| South Korea Wins | 2 |
| Draws | 2 |
| Goals Scored by Mexico | 23 |
| Goals Scored by South Korea | 10 |
All Past Results
| Date | Result | Competition |
| 10 Feb 1981 | Mexico 4-0 South Korea | Friendly |
| 3 Dec 1985 | South Korea 1-2 Mexico | Friendly |
| 10 Dec 1985 | Mexico 2-1 South Korea | Friendly |
| 10 Aug 1989 | Mexico 4-2 South Korea | Friendly |
| 13 Jun 1998 | South Korea 1-3 Mexico | FIFA World Cup |
| 12 Jun 1999 | South Korea 1-1 Mexico | Friendly |
| 1 Jun 2001 | South Korea 2-1 Mexico | FIFA Confederations Cup |
| 27 Jan 2002 | Mexico 0-0 South Korea | CONCACAF Gold Cup |
| 15 Feb 2006 | Mexico 0-1 South Korea | Friendly |
| 30 Jan 2014 | Mexico 4-0 South Korea | Friendly |
| 23 Jun 2018 | South Korea 1-2 Mexico | FIFA World Cup |
What to Expect in the 2026 Clash
Mexico beat South Korea 2-0 in their Group A opening game, with Raul Jimenez and Julian Quinones scoring the goals. South Korea also won their game, beating the Czech Republic 2-1. This means both teams are in a good position and this next game could decide who tops the group. Mexico will have the home advantage, as the game is being played in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Korea team captain Son Heung-min, who now plays for Los Angeles FC after years at Tottenham, will be the main threat for South Korea.
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Mexico has a clear edge in the history books, but South Korea is always hard to beat and has the quality to cause an upset. Expect a tight and exciting game, as both teams fight for a spot in the knockout rounds.
Match Details
- Date: Thursday, June 18
- Kick-off: 7 PM local time (CST) / 1 AM BST
- Stadium: Guadalajara Stadium (Estadio Akron), Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico
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