The 2026 FIFA World Cup began on Thursday with an opening ceremony in Mexico City, where the Mexico national team defeated South Africa 2-0 in the tournament’s opening match. Julian Quiñones scored Mexico’s first goal, while Raúl Jiménez added a second in the second half, securing the host nation’s first victory of the competition. South Africa faced disciplinary problems during the match, with two players being sent off after receiving red cards. The team finished the closing stages of the game with nine players on the field. Ahead of kick-off, the tournament’s opening ceremony was held at Azteca Stadium, featuring cultural, artistic and musical performances. Thousands of fans attended both the ceremony and the opening match. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being held with 48 participating teams for the first time, and is jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada.
