The countdown to the 2026 World Cup is on! Each day ahead of the tournament’s return to North America, Yahoo Sports will highlight an insight or moment that showcases just how grand the world’s biggest sporting spectacle has become — even beyond the expanded field of this year’s global event.
The opening match of the World Cup is always a big deal. The host country kicks off the tournament hoping to get off to a strong start in front of its own fans.
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In 2010, South Africa played host for the first time, allowing Bafana Bafana the chance to participate in the competition for only the third time. Grouped with Mexico, Uruguay and France, it was not going to be an easy tournament for South Africa, but they made a big first impression.
The opening match in Johannesburg was loud and boisterous. Vuvuzelas, which became part of the 2010 World Cup story, were non-stop. The noise inside Soccer City went up a level in the 55th minute when Siphiwe Tshabalala opened the scoring for the hosts.
Tshabalala said years later that he contemplated chipping it over Mexico goalkeeper Óscar Pérez after spotting how far he was off his line. He chose power and benefitted from a small bounce the ball took before he made contact.
“That helped, I think, and the connection was so good that as soon as the ball left my foot I knew it was going in,” Tshabalala told FIFA.com.
The goal set off wild celebrations inside the stadium and Tshabalala and several teammates joined in on a dance they had rehearsed believing that they would need to break it out.
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The match would end in a 1-1 draw and South Africa’s happy mood would take a hit in its second match, a 3-0 defeat to Uruguay. But there would still be a chance to advance to the knockout round entering their final group game. Uruguay clinched first place with a win over Mexico, which meant South Africa needed a high-scoring win over France.
It didn’t happen, unfortunately, but South Africa did achieve a memorable 2-1 win over France, but it wasn’t enough to advance due to goal difference. Regardless, it was a memorable finish to the tournament — one that began with a goal that’s never been forgotten.
“That was always going to be the biggest goal in my career, no matter what came after, because it touched so many lives and brought joy to so many people,” Tshabalala said. “I’ll always love it – it’s beautiful – but the goal is bigger than me as an individual.”
Sixteen years later and Bafana Bafana will be back at the World Cup after finishing first in its qualifying group, earning an automatic place. There will sure to be many mentions of Tshabalala’s famous goal with South Africa and Mexico featuring in the opening match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
