Quinones nets opening goal as 2026 World Cup commences in Mexico City

Julian Quinones has scored the opening goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the official commencement of the tournament. The Mexican forward netted against South Africa in the group stage opener, which was played at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The match served as a rematch of the teams' 2010 World Cup encounter.

The fixture on Thursday, 11 June 2026, launched the first World Cup to be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The tournament features an expanded field of 48 teams and is scheduled to run for 39 days. Mexico’s squad for the opener included veterans such as Raul Jimenez, alongside young talents like Brian Gutierrez and Gilberto Mora.

Quinones arrived at the tournament with momentum following a solid season in Saudi Arabia. As the host nation, Mexico faced immediate pressure to set the tone for the competition. The goal provided an early advantage for the home side in what was a high-profile start to the global event.

The 2026 World Cup concludes on 19 July 2026, with the final match held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced in March 2025 that the final would feature a half-time show, marking the first such performance in the history of the FIFA World Cup.

While the source material refers to the venue as Mexico City Stadium, historical context confirms the location as the Estadio Azteca. The exact minute of Quinones’ goal was not specified in the initial reports from BBC Sport, which provided the primary coverage of the event.