2026 FIFA World Cup Starts with Historic Opener

FIFA World Cup co-host, Mexico, defeated South Africa 2-0 on Thursday at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, opening the largest-ever World Cup in history as the 48-team tournament debuted. The opener featured goals from Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez.

Quiñones put Mexico ahead in the ninth minute, capitalizing on an attacking sequence to take the early lead. Jiménez doubled Mexico’s lead in the 67th minute. The match featured a World Cup opener record: three goals. These send-offs left South Africa in the final minutes of the match with just nine men.

South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole was sent off in the 49th minute for denying the opportunity to score a goal. Themba Zwane followed in the 84th minute. Mexico defender César Montes was ejected during stoppage time in the 92nd minute for a similar foul under Referee Wilton Sampaio, who oversaw the match.

The match made history at the Estadio Azteca pitch, as it became the first venue to host matches across three different men’s World Cups, having done so in 1970 and 1986 before Thursday’s match. Crews renovated the stadium prior to the tournament, showcasing Mexico co-hosting with Canada and the United States. “I don’t think I’ve ever had goosebumps like that,” Mexico defender Israel Reyes said.

The Estadio Azteca has an esteemed history in the World Cup. The 1970 final featured Pelé leading Brazil to a 4-1 win over Italy. The stadium’s history runs deeper, being the stage for the 1986 tournament quarterfinal where Diego Maradona’s scored his “Hand of God” goal. Thursday’s matchup added to that history, with supporters filling up the stadium hours before kickoff and fans outside with celebrations beginning the 23rd edition of the tournament’s opening day.

The victory marks Mexico’s first in eight World Cup opening-match appearances, after five losses and two draws, including a 1-1 draw against South Africa in the 2010 opener. Mexico, eliminated in the group stage in 2022, now leads Group A with three points. Mexico will face South Korea next in Guadalajara on June 18, while South Africa takes on Czechia the same day in Atlanta. The ceremony opening the World Cup showcased performances from Shakira, Andrea Bocelli, Mana and Burna Boy. The kickoff to the tournament attracted the largest global audience on record for a World Cup opener.