Mexico and South Korea win Group A openers as World Cup kickoff is marked by protests and historic red cards
The 2026 FIFA World Cup opened with Mexico beating South Africa 2-0 and South Korea rallying past Czech Republic 2-1, while protests outside Estadio Azteca and three red cards brought a turbulent start to the tournament.
Mexico down South Africa in opener
Mexico opened the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over South Africa at a packed Estadio Azteca. Julián Quiñones capitalised on a defensive error in the 9th minute to give the co-hosts an early lead. Raúl Jiménez doubled the advantage in the 67th minute after the visitors went a man down. Mexico dominated the ball and outshot South Africa 16 to 3.
- Mexico
- 16
- South Africa
- 3
Korea rally past Czech Republic
In the second Group A match, held at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, South Korea came from behind to beat Czech Republic 2-1. Ladislav Krejčí opened the scoring for the Czechs in the 59th minute from a set-piece. Hwang In-beom equalised in the 67th minute and Oh Hyeon-gyu scored the winner in the 80th minute to send Korean fans into a frenzy. The victory lifted Korea level on points with Mexico at the top of the group.
Protest clashes mar opening ceremony
Just as the opening ceremony was under way and Shakira was performing, protests erupted outside the Azteca Stadium. Demonstrators – including mothers and relatives of Mexico’s disappeared – pushed against barriers and confronted police. Protesters threw stones, bananas, bunches of orange flowers and Molotov cocktails; one female officer was seen bleeding from a head wound. Rights groups say families want authorities to intensify the search for the missing, amid estimates that more than 130,000 people have vanished in cartel-related violence. Some held banners reading: “Football is coming home, but when are you coming home?”.
Three red cards make history
The opening match also delivered a disciplinary milestone. Referee Wilton Sampaio showed three straight red cards: Sphephelo Sithole of South Africa in the 50th minute for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, teammate Themba Zwane in the 84th minute after a VAR review for a foul, and Mexico’s César Montes in added time. According to OptaJose, it was only the fourth World Cup fixture in history with three direct red cards – and the first since South Africa vs Denmark in 1998. During the entire 2022 tournament in Qatar only four red cards were issued in 64 matches.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos questioned the second sending-off.
We can discuss the second red card. The Mexican blocked my player. It’s the referee’s position and we have to accept it, but I don’t think it was a red card. It was too soft to give a red card.
Both South African players will miss the next group match against Czech Republic, scheduled for 18 June in Atlanta.
Storms dampen celebrations
Heavy rain and strong winds hit Mexico City shortly after the final whistle, forcing fans to seek shelter. The sudden downpour served as a reminder of the weather challenges facing the first World Cup spread across three North American climate zones. Previous tournaments in the region saw frequent stoppages, and organisers already flagged storms as a potential disruption.
