The 'Geopolitics World Cup' has officially begun, with host nation Mexico securing a 2-0 victory over South Africa in the tournament's opening fixture. The match took place at the historic venue in Mexico City, which has been controversially rebranded as the 'Mexico City Stadium' for administrative purposes, a change that has drawn criticism from football purists who recognise it by its traditional name, the Azteca.
Despite the renaming and high ticket prices, the match was preceded by an opening ceremony featuring performances from artists such as JJ Balvin, Salma Hayek, David Guetta, EJAE, and Andrea Bocelli. The game itself, while not a classic, offered a reminder of the enduring passion for the sport. Raúl Jiménez was among the goal-scorers for Mexico, though their fans were reportedly heard booing for their team not extending their lead further against a struggling South African side.
South Africa's performance was notably poor, with defender Yaya Sithole receiving a red card in the second half, one of three issued by Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio during the game. South African television pundits, including Quinton Fortune, Aaron Mokoena, and Benni McCarthy, were left speechless by their team's display. Despite the overwhelming defeat, South Africa's coach, Hugo Broos, maintained a surprisingly positive outlook, suggesting Mexico appeared 'desperate' and that his team's defensive organisation was 'perfect'.
The tournament's second fixture, held in Guadalajara, saw South Korea achieve a comeback victory against Czechia. Ladislav Krejci initially put Czechia ahead with a goal from a long throw-in, reminiscent of a more direct playing style. However, Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu secured the win for South Korea with well-executed strikes, showcasing a preference for attacking football.
Off-field issues also surfaced, with reports of journalists in the media tribune experiencing fading Wi-Fi connectivity. Furthermore, official attendance figures for the Guadalajara match suggested around 700 empty seats, despite television pictures appearing to show a more significant number, raising questions about FIFA's reporting. Mexican protests regarding local issues were reportedly present but did not significantly disrupt the opening proceedings.