Mexico launches World Cup with 2-0 win over South Africa, marred by red cards and medical scare
In front of 83,000 at Estadio Azteca, tournament co-host Mexico comfortably defeated South Africa 2-0, but three red cards and a fan's heart attack during the opening ceremony added tension to the first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Opening ceremony and medical scare
The opening ceremony at the Estadio Azteca included performances by Shakira and Salma Hayek. During the ceremony, a foreign supporter suffered a heart attack. The Mexico City Secretariat of Citizen Security reported that the fan was quickly treated by on-site medical staff and transported to hospital in a stable condition. Authorities dismissed social media rumours that the person had died. The stadium welcomed 83,000 spectators for the tournament's first match.
The foreign supporter is in a stable condition.
Dominant Mexican performance
Mexico opened the scoring in the 9th minute through Julián Quiñones, who capitalised on a defensive error by Sphephelo Sithole. The Al-Qadsiah forward, top scorer in the Saudi Pro League last season with 33 goals, slotted the ball between goalkeeper Ronwen Williams' legs. Mexico controlled much of the game, with Quiñones hitting the post in the 42nd minute. The host nation doubled the lead in the 67th minute when Raúl Jiménez headed in a cross from Roberto Alvarado. The goal was Jiménez's 46th for Mexico, leaving him six short of the all-time national record.
A match plagued by red cards
South Africa endured a torrid evening, with Sithole receiving a straight red card in the 50th minute for a dangerous tackle. Themba Zwane was then sent off in the 84th minute after a video assistant referee (VAR) review. Mexico's César Montes also saw red in stoppage time (90+3') for a foul, ending the match with ten against nine men. Referee Wilton Sampaio brandished three red cards in total, a rare occurrence for a World Cup opener.
- Opening ceremony featuring Shakira and Salma Hayek is held at Estadio Azteca.
- Julián Quiñones scores the first goal of the tournament for Mexico (9').
- Sphephelo Sithole receives a red card for South Africa (50').
- Raúl Jiménez doubles Mexico's lead with a header (67').
- Themba Zwane sent off after VAR review, reducing South Africa to nine men (84').
- César Montes receives a red card for Mexico (90+3').
Political backdrop casts shadow
This edition of the tournament, the first with 48 teams and 104 matches, is co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The US involvement under President Donald Trump has drawn criticism. Reports indicate that a Somali referee was barred from working at the tournament and that some foreign supporters have been denied entry. Critics have labelled the event the "Trump World Cup", raising questions about universal access and the political symbolism of the competition.
