Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez secure home team victory in front of over 80,000 fans at the Azteca; the match sees three red cards issued by the Brazilian referee
Mexico kicked off the World Cup in the best possible way. In a packed Azteca Stadium, the Mexican national team defeated South Africa 2-0 on Thursday during the official opening game of the 2026 tournament.
The game’s goals came from Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez, securing the host nation’s first three points in Group A. Additionally, the match gained attention due to the performance of Brazilian referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio, who handed out three red cards, setting a record for opening matches in the competition.
The opening of the World Cup delivered a memorable atmosphere in Mexico City. A total of 80,824 fans filled the Azteca Stadium to witness the tournament’s inaugural game.
From the very first moments, the Mexican crowd turned the stands into a massive celebration. While the home team maintained control of the offence, chants of “olé” echoed throughout the stadium. Meanwhile, the South African squad faced jeers whenever they posed a threat to the opposing goal.
This celebratory energy further amplified the anticipation among Mexican fans for a historic run, fueled by the advantage of playing on home soil.
On the field, Mexico demonstrated dominance throughout much of the match. As a result, the favourable scoreline was achieved naturally.