Mexico opened the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a comfortable 2-0 victory over South Africa at a packed Estadio Azteca, with goals from Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez securing all three points for the co-hosts in the tournament’s opening match.
In front of 80,824 supporters in Mexico City, Javier Aguirre’s side produced a disciplined display to extend their unbeaten run in World Cup opening matches to eight games dating back to 1994, while handing South Africa a disappointing return to football’s biggest stage after a 16-year absence.
The match carried added significance as it reunited the same two nations that opened the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg, where they played out a 1-1 draw. This time, however, Mexico ensured there would be no repeat of that result.
Mexico made an aggressive start and nearly grabbed the tournament’s first goal within five minutes when Raúl Jiménez connected with a dangerous delivery, forcing South African captain Ronwen Williams into an excellent save.
Julian Quinones named Player of the match.
The breakthrough arrived in the ninth minute after a costly mistake from Yaya Sithole. The South African defender lost possession in a dangerous area, allowing Quinones to pounce before calmly finishing beyond Williams to register the first goal of the 2026 World Cup.
The strike also became the earliest opening goal in a World Cup since Philipp Lahm scored for Germany in the opening match of the 2006 tournament.
Mexico controlled large periods of the first half through the midfield trio of Roberto Alvarado, Brian Gutierrez and Alvaro Fidalgo. South Africa struggled to establish rhythm but almost found an equalizer before the break when Mbekezile Mbokazi’s powerful effort drew an impressive save from goalkeeper Raúl Rangel.
Despite trailing by a single goal at half time, South Africa’s hopes of a comeback suffered a major blow four minutes after the restart when Sithole was shown a straight red card for bringing down Gutierrez as the last defender.
Sithole was shown a straight red card for bringing down Gutierrez as the last defender. Photocredit: Getty images
The dismissal shifted momentum further in Mexico’s favor and the hosts eventually capitalized on their numerical advantage in the 67th minute. Alvarado delivered a teasing cross into the penalty area and Jimenez rose to guide a precise header into the bottom corner for Mexico’s second goal.
The goal marked a special moment for the veteran striker, who celebrated his first ever goal at a FIFA World Cup finals tournament after years of service for the national team.
South Africa attempted to respond through Oswin Appollis and Aubrey Modiba, but Mexico remained largely untroubled as Rangel comfortably protected his clean sheet.
The contest became increasingly heated in the closing stages. Substitute Themba Zwane received a straight red card following a VAR review for violent conduct involving Alvarado, reducing South Africa to nine men with six minutes remaining.
Mexico also finished the match with ten men after Cesar Montes was sent off deep into stoppage time for a cynical challenge on Khuliso Mudau, though the dismissal had little impact on the outcome.
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The victory ensured Mexico made the perfect start to a tournament they are co-hosting alongside the United States and Canada. It also preserved their unbeaten World Cup record at the Estadio Azteca, which became the first stadium in history to host three World Cup opening matches after previously staging the tournament curtain-raisers in 1970 and 1986.
For South Africa, the defeat exposed the challenge awaiting Hugo Broos’ side in Group A. Returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2010, Bafana Bafana were unable to match the hosts and will now need a strong response in their remaining group matches to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Mexico, meanwhile, could hardly have asked for a better beginning as the first chapter of the biggest World Cup in history ended with the hosts firmly in control.
