MEXICO CITY (AP) — The largest World Cup in tournament history kicks off Thursday with co-host Mexico taking on South Africa in the opening match.
Amid escalating protests and social tensions in Mexico’s capital, more than 80,000 fans were making their way to Mexico City Stadium — better known as Azteca Stadium. It got a much-needed facelift ahead of the 48-team tournament that Mexico is hosting alongside the United States and Canada.
The iconic venue will be the first stadium to host three World Cup openers — after doing so in the 1970 and 1986 tournaments.
It is the eighth opening match of a World Cup for the Mexicans, who had previously lost five and drawn the last two, including against South Africa in the 2010 World Cup.
South Africa is playing in its first World Cup since hosting the 2010 tournament. The Bafana Bafana also played in the 1998 and 2002 editions.
Mexico arrives with an eight-match unbeaten streak and has not lost since last November, when Paraguay beat them in a friendly.
The Mexican side is led by the 67-year-old coach Javier Aguirre, who is in his third stint with the national team.
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