Overview:
Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio sent off three players in the opener; two for South Africa (Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane) as well as Mexico's Ceaser Montes.
- Group A: Mexico 2-0 South Africa
Mexico defeated a nine-man South Africa 2-0 in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Group A at the Mexico City Stadium on Thursday before over 80,000 spectators.
A goal in either half from Julian Andres Quinones and Raul Jimenez set the tone for the tournament co-hosts, who are now top of Group A with three points and two goals.
Quinones, who features for Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Professional League, set the ball rolling with an 8th-minute goal past South Africa’s captain Ronwen Williams.
South Africa granted Mexico the numerical advantage after Yaya Sithole was red-carded in the 50th minute for a professional foul.
Jimenez, a forward at Wolverhampton Football Club in the English Premier League, headed home the second goal on 66 minutes.
Themba Zwane was also red-carded in the 82nd minute following a VAR review as South Africa’s miserable night continued.
Mexico’s Ceaser Montes was also sent off by Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio for a foul inside the 7 added minutes of additional time.
There was a befitting opening ceremony before the duel with magical performances from Shakirah and Burna Boy.
Next matches:
South Korea takes on the Czech Republic on Friday, 12th June 2026, in the early kick-off before Canada tussles with Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Mexico’s second Group A contest will be on 19th June 2026 against South Korea.
South Africa will play the Czech Republic on 18th June 2026.
Argentina are the defending champions of this tournament, which has been played since 1930.
