Parreira promises to 'give teams hell' as Mexico look to upset hosts

In what is expected to be a tightly contested Group A, which also includes France and Uruguay, the Mexicans are feeling bullish about their chances.

"Mexico is doing well, we feel very confident, we've worked very hard, we are highly motivated and we are convinced we can do well (today) on the field," he said.

"We've been focusing on this game since December when we were chosen to play in the opening match.

"We're really excited and happy about it because millions of spectators are going to be watching us all over the world. We really want to do well and win the match."

El Tri have a solid record in World Cups having reached the last 16 in the last four tournaments, while they were quarter-finalists on home soil in 1970 and 1986.

South Africa's coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said: "Opening games are always difficult, there is lots of pressure, the whole country is involved and you are playing under the eyes of the world. We want to have fun, we want to enjoy the game.

He continued: "We want to make this country proud and we are going to give hell to any team we play."

But their coach stopped short of predicting how far they could go this time around.

He said: "Mexico's aim is to win the match (today); that's our short-term aim too."