Mexico opens 2026 World Cup with 2-0 victory over South Africa amid disciplinary turmoil
Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez score as Mexico defeat South Africa in the first match of the expanded 48-team tournament.
Co-hosts Mexico commenced the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-0 victory over South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday, 11 June 2026. The opening fixture of the first tournament jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada was defined by a historic disciplinary record, with Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio issuing three red cards during the match.
Julian Quinones scored the tournament’s first goal in the ninth minute, capitalising on a mistake by South Africa’s Yaya Sithole, who tackled Erik Lira and allowed the ball to drop to the Mexican midfielder. Quinones struck a powerful shot that passed through goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, giving the hosts an early lead before South Africa’s numerical disadvantage altered the complexion of the game.
The match turned significantly in the second half when Sithole was sent off in the 49th minute for denying a goalscoring opportunity after bringing down Brian Gutierrez. South Africa were further reduced to nine men in the 84th minute when substitute Themba Zwane was dismissed for slapping Mexico’s Roberto Alvarado. Mexico’s Cesar Montes also received a red card in the final minutes for a late foul on Khuliso Mudau, leaving the hosts with ten men for the closing stages.
Raul Jimenez, aged 35, secured the victory with a header in the 67th minute from a Roberto Alvarado cross. The goal marked Jimenez’s first World Cup appearance and score, ending a period of emotional struggle following a life-threatening fractured skull injury sustained in November 2020 while playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers. The veteran striker, who had previously been on loan at Fulham, appeared to be moved to tears as he celebrated with his teammates.
The 2026 tournament features an expanded field of 48 teams competing in 104 matches over a 39-day period. The opening ceremony, which featured Colombian singer Shakira and other performers, set a vibrant tone for the event. Mexico, ranked 14th in the world, hosted the opening match at the Azteca Stadium for the third time, having previously staged the 1970 and 1986 tournaments at the same venue. South Africa, ranked 46 places below their opponents, last appeared in the World Cup finals in 2010 when they hosted the competition.
Seventeen-year-old Mexico midfielder Gilberto Mora became the second-youngest player to appear in a World Cup, trailing only Pelé, who was 17 when he played in the 1958 competition. The match concluded with Mexico maintaining their two-goal advantage despite the late red card, providing a strong start to their campaign as co-hosts.
