The 2026 World Cup officially commenced with co-hosts Mexico securing a 2-0 victory against South Africa in front of a capacity crowd at the iconic Estadio Azteca. The opening goal came just nine minutes into the match, setting the tone for what initially appeared to be a straightforward win for Javier Aguirre’s side. However, the game quickly descended into a chaotic affair marked by multiple dismissals.
Veteran striker Raúl Jiménez, making his fourth World Cup appearance but his first start, headed in Mexico's second goal. His emotional celebration, which saw him shed tears, was a poignant moment as he paid tribute to his late father. Despite the celebratory atmosphere for the home side, the match was heavily influenced by the Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio's decision to issue three red cards – two for South Africa and one for Mexico – a stark contrast to the entire 2022 tournament which saw only four dismissals.
The first red card was shown to South Africa's Yaya Sithole for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. Confusion then surrounded a VAR check leading to the dismissal of substitute Themba Zwane for an off-the-ball incident. Mexico's César Montes also received his marching orders in the final moments for a similar challenge, cynically stopping a counterattack. These incidents raised questions about officiating standards and the potential for a high number of red cards throughout the supersized tournament.
In the other Group A fixture, South Korea staged a notable comeback to defeat Czech Republic 2-1. Second-half goals from Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu secured the win, placing South Korea level with Mexico at the top of their group. The day also featured an elaborate opening ceremony at the Estadio Azteca, with performances from international stars Shakira and Andrea Bocelli, alongside EJAE, providing a vibrant start to the global spectacle.
However, the day was not without its controversies. Issues regarding hydration breaks, despite a moderate 23°C temperature inside the stadium, and host broadcaster Fox's struggles with basic production elements, including missing the restart after an intermission, drew criticism. These operational hiccups, particularly the perceived use of hydration breaks for additional advertising slots, sparked debate among viewers and commentators.