The 2026 World Cup has finally kicked off and co-hosts Mexico needed only nine minutes to go in front against South Africa before securing a 2-0 win in front of a sell-out crowd at the spectacular Estadio Azteca.
Raul Jimenez, finally starting a World Cup match in his fourth appearance at a tournament, headed in the second and shed a tear when celebrating while paying tribute to his father. While the match was undermined by three red cards, one for El Tri after two for their sorry opponents, it was a near perfect start for Javier Aguirre’s side.
In the other Group A fixture, South Korea ran out 2-1 winners over Czech Republic, pulling off a fine comeback after second-half goals from Hwang In Beom and Oh Hyeon Gyu.
Here is everything you need to know from day one of the super-sized tournament:
Shakira, Bocelli star in opening ceremony
In the most evocative World Cup stadium of all, the opening ceremony was not bad at all. Shakira and Andrea Bocelli, alongside EJAE, were the standout perfomers of a short-ish display of colour and vibrancy which was broken into two chunks – the latter a flag parade shortly before the teams emerged from the tunnel, soundtracked by Eminem and the Alan Parsons Project.
The match kicked off a couple of minutes late but, as these modern ceremonies go, Mexico City found a decent balance between domestic stars – Mana received a huge cheer – and making sure everyone recognised it was a global event. It may have been clearer inside the stadium than on TV but the USA flag was also jeered by large swathes of the Mexican support.
Red cards overshadow opener
It did not seem to be a particularly dirty game but Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio was equally left with no option but to dole out three separte red cards. The first went to Yaya Sithole, who was already at fault for gifting Mexico’s Colombian-born breakout star Julian Quinones the opening goal, after he denied a clear goalscoring opportunity early in the second period by bringing down Brian Gutierrez a yard outside the box.
There was much confusion around a VAR check before substitute Themba Zwane was dismissed for placing his hand in the face of Roberto Alvarado in an off-the-ball wrestle – although when replays were finally broadcast it seemed a cut and dry decision. And then Mexico left back Cesar Montes cynically stopped a counterattack from Khuliso Mudau and was given his marching orders for another DOGSO challenge in the final moments.
There were only four red cards in the entire 2022 World Cup. How many will be shown between now and July 19?
Jimenez’s tearful celebration
Raul Jimenez was a used substitute in 2014, 2018 and 2022. He has fought back to form following a fractured skull in 2020 that put his career in jeopardy. And he may have thought that the chance to score a World Cup goal would never arrive.
But on home turf the striker, who is now El Tri’s main man, headed home in familiar style to double Mexico’s advantage. The outpouring of joy and relief was a sight to behold. Jimenez raced towards a corner flag with tears in his eyes, no doubt remembering his father who passed away in March.
In a World Cup where it is impossible not to be cynical, this moment was an antidote.
Host broadcaster struggles with basics
Immediately after Jimenez’s goal the teams went for their hydration break despite the temperature inside the Azteca being 23c. Whatever about the weather – because breaks will be needed on warmer days elsewhere – the underlying decision for this is an opportunity for the host broadcaster Fox, among others across the globe, to squeeze in a couple of extra ad breaks.
In the UK ITV have, creditably, decided against an endeavour that is not just insulting to viewers but the game itself. Still, Fox were late returning from one intermission and missed the restart.
And to make eyes roll even further, Fox’s graphics chief thought it was necessary to keep a permanent reminder on screen following a red card to tell viewers that it means teams have a player less on the pitch.
Empty seats in Guadalajara for South Korea v Czech Republic
After Fifa’s ticket price controversy, the consequence appears to be the prospect of thousands of empty seats at games over the course of the next few weeks.
Despite an entertaining Group A contest between South Korea and Czech Republic, empty seats at the Estadio Akron underlined the problem with spiralling costs thanks to dynamic pricing, with a reported 180,000 tickets remaining listed across Fifa’s official resale portals ahead of the tournament.
