South Africa vs. Mexico, 10 a.m.

Group A

Johannesburg

Soccer City will be the center of the sports universe as the 2010 tournament kicks off.

South Africa: Bafana Bafana is led by Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar and Portsmouth midfielder/defender Aaron Mokoena. Its defense is suspect.

Mexico: An infusion of youth, led by Giovani Dos Santos and Andres Guardado, helped Mexico qualify. Coach Javier Aguirre now seems enamored of his veterans, though.

Notable Fact: Every host has advanced from the first round, but South Africa is ranked 31st among World Cup teams and has never gone past the opening round.

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France vs. Uruguay, 2:30 p.m.

Group A

Cape Town

The coastal city stages the first of eight games, including a semifinal match, at 64,000-seat Green Point Stadium.

France: A team in turmoil that is most remembered for Thierry Henry’s handball that set up a goal against Ireland to advance from qualifying.

Uruguay: Diego Forlan is among the most prolific scorers in the world, and fellow forward Luis Suarez isn’t far behind.

Notable Fact: Both nations have won the title, France as host in 1998, Uruguay as host in 1930 and in Brazil in 1950.