The Temporary
The 48-team FIFA World Cup kicks off Thursday at Mexico Metropolis’s renovated Azteca Stadium, with co-host Mexico going through earlier than greater than 80,000 followers.
Mexico enters the opener on an eight-match unbeaten streak, whereas South Africa is making its first World Cup look since internet hosting the event in 2010.
Veteran coach Javier Aguirre is main Mexico for a 3rd time, because the hosts look to safe their first World Cup opening-match victory after 5 losses and two attracts in earlier openers.
MEXICO CITY – The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway, and co-host Mexico opened the event with a 2-0 win over South Africa on Thursday.
Julián Quiñones scored the primary objective of the World Cup within the ninth minute, whereas added a second-half header in a match that noticed South Africa decreased to 9 playersand Mexico to 10after three purple playing cards.
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Comply with alongside for dwell updates, highlights, evaluation and scenes from the opening day of soccer’s largest occasion.
Dwell updates:2:30 p.m.Mexicans rejoice their crew’s 2-0 win
Mexico’s 2-0 win over South Africa introduced pleasure to El Tri’s military of followers.
“Let’s go for extra,” Isidro Martínez, an excited 36-year-old businessman, mentioned after Mexico took the lead early within the first half.
Martínez, his brother, and a pal had been among the many throngs of people that watched the match at a fan fest in Mexico Metropolis’s most important sq.. It was one in all 18 in cities all through Mexico.
On the Angel monument on one of many capital’s most important avenues, a whole bunch of followers watched as Mexico doubled its lead within the second half of a uneven sport that ended with three purple card ejections, together with one for a Mexican participant.
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“We’re going to win my pal, We’re going for all of it!” screamed Gerry Legarreta, a 52-year-old American who traveled from the Texas border metropolis of El Paso to rejoice his birthday whereas watching the sport.
In entrance of him, a bunch of individuals, together with youngsters, danced in a circle waving the Mexican flag. On the opposite aspect of the visitors circle, a band added to the raucous ambiance by banging drums and taking part in trumpets.
In Tacuba, an space in northern Mexico Metropolis, Irene Rosell Soriano cheered on El Tri from a wheelchair, her legs lined by the Mexican flag.
“These are the ultimate video games of my life,” mentioned Rosell Soriano, who at age 92, was most likely the oldest fan at that watch social gathering. “And, effectively, I’ve to get pleasure from them.”
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1:32 p.m.Broos goes defensive following Sithole’s purple card
Regardless of trailing 1-0 to Mexico, South Africa supervisor Hugo Broos determined to exchange Burnley striker , who simply accomplished a season within the Premier League, with defensive midfielder .
This modification has left South Africa with only one attacking participant on the pitch.
With the World Cup’s expanded subject, eight groups that end third of their teams will advance to the knockout levels. Aim distinction is the primary tiebreaker used to find out which third-place groups transfer on to the Spherical of 32.
1:31 p.m.South Africa all the way down to 10 gamers
South Africa was already up towards it going through Mexico, a stronger opponent that took a 1-0 lead 8 1/2 minutes in when Julián Quiñones scored on a shot between ’ legs.
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The purple card to Sphephelo Sithole early within the second half makes it worse, with South Africa going the remainder of the way in which taking part in 10 versus 11.
1:31 p.m.Sithole is out for South Africa’s subsequent match, too
Sphephelo Sithole was given a purple card denying a transparent goal-scoring alternative as Brian Gutiérrez appeared to be clear by on objective.
It was a Sithole giveaway that led to Mexico’s objective early within the first half.
Sithole is the first defensive midfielder for Hugo Broos’ squad. He performs his membership soccer in Liga Portugal for C.D. Tondela.
Sithole is nicknamed “Yaya” for his related bodily stature to Ivorian nice .
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Due to the purple card, Sithole received’t be allowed to play in South Africa’s subsequent match towards Czechia.
1:30 p.m.South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole will get a purple card
South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole was ejected from the World Cup opener after being assessed a purple card for interfering with Brian Gutiérrez as he raced in on objective early within the second half.
Raúl Jiménez was unable to attain on the ensuing free kick for Mexico.
Gutiérrez is the primary U.S.-born participant to begin a World Cup match for Mexico.
1:18 p.m.Second half begins
The second half has begun with Mexico getting an early shot that sailed simply over the crossbar.
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1 p.m.Subdued applause at halftime
Followers cheered off the Mexican gamers at halftime, however it was nothing just like the thunderous applause they feted them earlier than the match.
Regardless of main for many of the first half, Mexican followers contained in the stadium appeared irritated each time South Africa was in a position to keep possession, breaking out in whistles and jeers.
Followers started to grouse and throw their palms within the air in frustration as Mexico failed to increase its lead. Makes an attempt to encourage the gamers by chanting “Mexico” had been short-lived and largely unsuccessful.
A short second of risk ignited the Mexican followers when Jiménez and Quiñones got here near doubling the lead, however frustration sank in once more after these probabilities didn’t discover the again of the online.
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1:03 p.m.Mexican followers are pleased however need to pad the lead
Regardless that Mexico took a halftime lead and dominated possession, they solely created a few scoring probabilities after the objective.
Throughout a number of spans of the primary half, the crew gave the impression to be happy with the rating and followers grew anxious within the stands.
Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre, identified for being a defensive-minded in his 15-years managing within the Spanish league, will most likely stay with the identical strategy for the second half.
1:07 pm.Mexico leads South Africa 1-0 at halftime
Mexico is up 1-0 on South Africa at halftime, due to the World Cup-opening objective by Julián Quiñones within the ninth minute.
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Raúl Jiménez was stopped by Ronwen Williams twice and Quiñones hit the precise put up late within the first half, whereas Mbekezeli Mbokazi lastly obtained South Africa’s first shot on objective within the forty fifth minute.
12:53 p.m.Quiñones practically doubles his complete
With Mexico urgent late within the first half up 1-0, Raúl Jiménez was stopped by South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Moments later, Julián Quiñones, who scored the primary objective, clanked his shot off the precise put up.
12:48 p.m.Mexico and South Africa get their first hydration break
With Mexico urgent late within the first half up 1-0, Raúl Jiménez was stopped by South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
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Moments later, Julián Quiñones, who scored the primary objective, clanked his shot off the precise put up.
12:22 p.m.A scorer in advantageous kind
Quiñones continues his spectacular run of kind after scoring 33 targets within the Saudi Professional League this season.
Born in , Quiñones performed a lot of his profession in Mexico earlier than transferring to , and was anticipated to be an vital determine in assault for “El Tri.”
12:19 p.m.Julián Quiñones scores the primary World Cup objective
Mexico obtained the beginning they wished, with Julián Quiñones scoring the primary objective of the World Cup after a turnover by South Africa 8 1/2 minutes in.
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – JUNE 07: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Julian Quinones #16 of Mexico poses for a portrait through the official FIFA World Cup 2026 portrait session on June 07, 2026 in Mexico Metropolis, Mexico. (Picture by Molly Darlington – FIFA/FIFA through Getty Photographs)
12:21 p.m.Panini playing cards with a distinct objective
Simply outdoors the stadium, individuals have hung posters within the fashion of the World Cup panini playing cards. However relatively than gamers, they function the faces of Mexican politicians studying “narcopolitica identificado,” Spanish for “linked to narco-politics.”
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Amongst them was Rubén Rocha Moya, governor of Sinaloa, a robust member of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s social gathering who was not too long ago charged by the US with narcotics importation conspiracy and possession of machine weapons. He denies the accusations.
The posters had been put up by the Nationwide Affiliation of Transportation Corporations, often called ANTAC, a outstanding business group identified for its means to mobilize and exert political strain.
11.52 a.m.Full squads on the sphere for nationwide anthems
Not like at earlier World Cups, the total squads of each groups will come out on the sphere for the nationwide anthems.
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Normally solely the gamers within the beginning lineup are on the sphere when the anthems are performed.
FIFA has modified issues round this time in order that the substitutes can participate as effectively.
The gamers will likely be standing across the heart circle going through one another through the anthems.
FIFA says it should “create a second of unity, pleasure and emotion” for each the groups and the followers within the stadium.
11:51 a.m.Occasion within the stands
The social gathering is constant inside Azteca Stadium.
Waving flags and carrying hats, costumes, and even physique paint, hundreds of individuals are dancing to each hit tune that booms on the audio system.
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The Mexican crew is getting extra cheers than the South African crew, as anticipated with the house benefit.
11:48 a.m.American-born Gutierrez will get the beginning for Mexico
Midfielder Brian Gutierrez will turn into the primary Mexican American participant to begin in a World Cup for Mexico’s nationwide crew.
The 22-year-old, who was born in Berwyn, Illinois, performed for the US however didn’t have to use for a rustic swap as a result of he had solely performed friendlies for the U.S. towards Venezuela and in January 2025.
Gutierrez and midfielder are the 2 Mexican American gamers on Mexico´s World Cup roster.
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The final time that Mexico chosen two Mexican American gamers was at 2014, when Miguel Ponce and had been chosen, however neither noticed taking part in time.
11:44 a.m.Followers sway to the sounds of Danny Ocean
Danny Ocean has carried out dwell “Partidazo,” his collaboration on the “Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album.”
Ocean was surrounded by dancers carrying a contemporary model of the normal costume from the Mexican state of Jalisco modified to have hoodies on the highest.
The Venezuelan singer, songwriter, and producer grew to become identified internationally for his hit “Me rehuso,” which grew to become an anthem of the Venezuelan diaspora.
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Since then, he has launched songs akin to “Dembow,” “Imagínate,” “” and “Fuera del mercado. He has additionally collaborated with artists akin to Alejandro Sanz, Karol G, Sech, Camilo and Justin Quiles.
11.33 a.m.Mexico Metropolis’s stadium is greater than a mile excessive
One in all Mexico’s largest home-field benefits in its World Cup opener could also be that it is going to be performed at an exceptionally excessive altitude that South Africa’s gamers may wrestle to regulate to.
The stadium — named Mexico Metropolis Stadium for the World Cup however identified far and broad as Estadio Azteca or Azteca Stadium — is 7,200 ft (2,195 meters) above sea stage, which is greater than a mile excessive.
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Mexico additionally faces the Czech Republic there on June 24. There’s a spherical of 32 sport set to happen there on June 30 and a spherical of 16 sport there on July 5.
11:20 a.m.Mexico supervisor opts for youth over expertise in objective
One of many nice mysteries for the forward of the World Cup was whether or not coach Javier Aguirre was going to make use of veteran goalkeeper within the opener.
He went with as an alternative.
The 26-year-old Rangel has been the starter the previous eight matches, however he will likely be taking part in his first official match for the crew on Thursday.
The 2026 World Cup is the sixth for Ochoa, however he performed in simply three: these in Brazil, Russia and .
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10:55 a.m. Police block off protesting households of Mexico’s 130,000 lacking
Dozens of cops have fashioned a blockade, as protesters hoping to make clear the plight of Mexico’s 130,000 lacking individuals arrived on the secured space outdoors of Azteca Stadium.
A few of the protesters are throwing flower petals on the police. One had hooked up a photograph of her lacking youngster to her inexperienced Mexico crew jersey.
Household are hoping to make use of the World Cup to name consideration to their scenario.
In current weeks, photos of the disappeared have been seen at demonstrations and on avenue posters. They’ve additionally featured in a digital World Cup album that, as an alternative of highlighting soccer gamers, exhibits the smiling faces of lacking women and men carrying the Mexican nationwide crew’s inexperienced jersey, together with their names and when and the place they had been final seen.
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“The principle objective is for the world to see {that a} disaster of impunity persists,” mentioned Jorge Verástegui, who has been trying to find his brother for 17 years. “To indicate the opposite aspect of Mexico that it’s not a celebration, however a tragedy.”
10:43 a.m.Ronaldinho is swarmed by followers upon coming into Azteca
Brazilian legend Ronaldinho simply entered the Estadio Azteca for the opening match of the World Cup.
Ronaldinho appeared in two World Cups for Brazil and scored a surprising free-kick towards en path to profitable the event in 2002.
The Brazilian icon was shepherded into the stadium by the media entrance and was instantly swarmed by followers after they caught a glimpse of him.
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Ronaldinho scored 33 targets for the nationwide crew throughout his profession. He’s now a FIFA ambassador for the 2026 event.