The 2026 FIFA World Cup didn’t just begin — it exploded.
Under the roaring lights of the legendary Estadio Azteca, with over 80,000 fans packed into every corner, Shakira and Burna Boy’s voices still echoing from the opening ceremony, Mexico and South Africa kicked off the biggest World Cup in history. And boy, did they deliver a show. Two goals. Three red cards. Absolute bedlam from the first whistle to the last. Welcome to the party, football world.
Shakira, Burna Boy & a Stadium Ready to Burst
Before a single ball was kicked, the Azteca was already vibrating. The opening ceremony was a full-blown spectacle — Shakira (in her fourth World Cup opening performance, because she simply never misses), Burna Boy, Andrea Bocelli, and even a surprise appearance by Salma Hayek. The whole thing was electric. The crowd was electric. The air was electric. You could feel Mexico needed this.
Mexico Finally Breaks Their Opener Curse
Here’s a little bit of trivia that made this win taste even sweeter: this was Mexico’s eighth time playing in a World Cup opening match — and their first ever win. Five losses, two draws. A curse stretching back decades. All of it erased in 90 minutes at their own home ground.
The pressure was enormous. El Tri needed to deliver for their fans, their country, and for history. Spoiler: they did.
Quiñones Opens the Floodgates
By the 9th minute, the Azteca had already lost its mind. Julian Quiñones — a 29-year-old Colombian-born forward making his World Cup debut — pounced on a catastrophic South African defensive mistake and slotted the ball home to make it 1-0. The place went absolutely bananas. Quiñones also rattled the post in the 42nd minute for good measure, just to let everyone know he was in the mood.
Red Cards, Red Cards Everywhere
And then the chaos truly began. South Africa midfielder Sphephelo Sithole received a red card in the 49th minute for hauling down Brian Gutierrez as he broke clean on goal — a straight denial of a goal-scoring opportunity.
One man down. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, Themba Zwane lost the plot completely, lashing out at an opponent off the ball and getting caught by VAR. Two men down for South Africa. Nine players on the pitch, trying to hold on against a full-strength Mexico.
Mexico then got one of their own — César Montes was sent off in injury time — making it three red cards total. The first time that’s ever happened in a World Cup opening match.
Jiménez Gets His Moment
With South Africa down to nine, Raúl Jiménez rose to meet a free header at the back post in the 67th minute and powered it home. It was his 46th international goal — his first in three World Cups — and it tied him with Jared Borgetti for second on Mexico’s all-time scoring list. Grown men in the stands were weeping. Deservedly so.
What a Way to Start a World Cup
Final score: Mexico 2-0 South Africa.
El Tri move top of Group A with three points and face South Korea next Thursday in Guadalajara. South Africa, battered and reduced to nine men, head to Atlanta to face Czechia and try to piece things back together.
One game in, and the 2026 World Cup has already served up drama, history, and heartbreak. If this opener is anything to go by — buckle up. It’s going to be one hell of a tournament.
Man of the Match
