Mexico and South Korea Seize Early Advantage on Chaotic Opening Day of 2026 World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup commenced in dramatic fashion on Thursday, as co-hosts Mexico secured their first-ever victory in a tournament opener, defeating South Africa 2-0 in a fractious encounter at the iconic Estadio Azteca. The match, played before a euphoric home crowd, saw three players sent off — the most in a single World Cup fixture since 2006 — leaving South Africa to finish with nine men and Mexico reduced to ten in the closing stages. Julián Quiñones gave Mexico an early lead inside nine minutes, and Raúl Jiménez, making an emotional return six years after a life-threatening skull fracture, sealed the win with a second-half goal. Viewed from Johannesburg, the defeat was compounded by ill-discipline: Sphephelo Sithole was dismissed for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, and Themba Zwane followed for striking an opponent, while Mexico captain César Montes also saw red late on. Brazilian referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio struggled to contain a match that at times threatened to boil over.

The tournament’s opening ceremony had earlier set a celebratory tone, with Colombian superstar Shakira and Nigerian artist Burna Boy performing at the Azteca, a venue hosting World Cup football for the first time in four decades. The return of the global showpiece to Mexican soil — the country is co-hosting alongside the United States and Canada — was not without its challenges. Organisers faced stadium renovations, airport upgrades, and public protests over safety and spending, but for one night at least, football pushed those concerns aside. “We were lucky to be here,” said local fan Javier Pérez, capturing a mood of relief and pride that rippled across the host nation.

In the day’s second Group A fixture, South Korea produced a stirring comeback to beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in Guadalajara. The Asian side fell behind but rallied through goals from Hwang In-Beom and Oh Hyeon-Gyu, sparking jubilant scenes among Korean supporters, some of whom were spotted serenading the city with Mexican folk songs. The result leaves South Korea level on three points with Mexico at the top of the group, while the Czechs and South Africa must regroup quickly to avoid early elimination. Analysts in Seoul see the victory as vindication of the team’s aggressive, high-tempo style, though defensive vulnerabilities were exposed.

As the tournament looks ahead, the opening day offered a microcosm of what this expanded 48-team World Cup may deliver: high emotion, disciplinary flashpoints, and the potential for less-fancied nations to disrupt the established order. For Mexico, the win exorcised the demons of seven previous opening-match failures and provided momentum before a demanding group stage. Yet the three red cards will prompt scrutiny of officiating standards and player conduct. With the United States and Canada yet to play, the co-hosts’ early success shifts some of the spotlight onto their northern neighbours, raising the stakes for a tournament that aspires to unite a continent.