Co-hosts Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in a dramatic World Cup opener in Mexico City, where three players were sent off.
A star-studded opening ceremony featuring Shakira, Burna Boy and J Balvin entertained the 80,000 fans in attendance at the historic Azteca Stadium before kick-off.
The opening match of the 2026 World Cup was marked by a flurry of red cards. South Africa’s Yaya Sithole was first to be dismissed for denying a goalscoring opportunity, before Themba Zwane was sent off late on for a controversial slap on an opponent. Mexico's César Montes also saw red in stoppage time for a late challenge.
Mexico took just nine minutes to score the opening goal of the tournament, with Julián Quiñones slotting home as the hosts made a dominant start.
After South Africa's first dismissal, striker Raúl Jiménez doubled Mexico's lead with a header midway through the second half.
Mexico also introduced the youngest player at the 2026 World Cup, 17-year-old Gilberto Mora, during the second half.
The victory gives Mexico an early advantage in Group A, which also includes South Korea and the Czech Republic.
Despite the win, Mexico coach Javier Aguirre was not entirely satisfied with his side's performance.
"This was a 4-0 match. We didn't play good enough, but people are happy," he told reporters. "It's the start of the World Cup - we've put the nerves behind us and now we have three points. We're thinking about what's next."
Mexico face South Korea in Guadalajara on 18 June, while South Africa take on the Czech Republic in Atlanta.
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Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 8 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The Iranian national football team is set to arrive in North America for the World Cup after finally securing travel documents, but a dispute over U.S. visa approvals continues to cast a shadow over the country's tournament preparations.
Mass protests by teachers and retired judges, road closures and last-minute construction work caused chaos in Mexico's capital just eight days before the first World Cup match kicks off on 11 June.
As the World Cup kick-off approaches, teams from across the globe arrive with contrasting narratives, some seeking redemption, others chasing history, and a few hoping simply to belong.
Mexico and South Africa meet in Thursday’s World Cup opener in Mexico City, with both teams approaching the match from very different positions but facing their own pressures.
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Azerbaijan is considering new restrictions on children's use of social media, including a minimum registration age of 16 and fines for platforms that fail to protect young users. The proposals form part of a broader global trend towards tighter regulation of online platforms.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines has expressed “absolute solidarity” with Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro following sanctions imposed on him by China.
China's foreign ministry has confirmed the detention of a U.S. citizen identified as U Min Zin, saying he is suspected of espionage and of endangering national security.
Authorities in Hong Kong have seized suspected counterfeit World Cup merchandise worth an estimated HK$156 million (US$19.91 million), including jerseys and footballs, in one of the city's largest recent crackdowns on fake sports goods.
Mexico began its home World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over South Africa in a heated opening match at the Estadio Azteca, setting the tone for the tournament in front of a vocal home crowd.
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