The World Cup 2026 has finally arrived and was kickstarted with a bang as a glitzy opening ceremony in Mexico City followed by the first match of the tournament – Mexico v South Africa.
Music icons Shakira and Burna Boy headlined a star-studded opening ceremony at Estadio Azteca – the first of three at the tournament, with the US and Canada also hosting their own ceremonies tomorrow.
Once the stage was removed and the confetti cleared, attention turned to the on-pitch action with a Mexico side led by Javier Aguirre and harbouring hopes of a deep run on home soil taking on Group A underdogs South Africa, who are at the World Cup for the first time since hosting in 2010.
In that tournament, this exact fixture was also the opening contest and Siphiwe Tshabalala sent home fans wild with a 55th-minute goal before Rafael Marquez grabbed a 79th-minute equaliser to spare Mexican blushes. Will we be in for a repeat this evening?
Follow all the action from the opening ceremony before co-hosts Mexico face South Africa below:
Mexico 1-0 South Africa
50’ – Jimenez’s effort is blocked by the wall. The ball is worked out to Gallardo and he shoots wide. That, you would suspect, is the end of this match as a contest.
Mexico 1-0 South Africa
48’ – Quinones, who has been really fun to watch beyond his goal, thinks he sees Williams off his line and decides to take a pop from about 45 yards. It is on target. It is easily saved.
Mexico 1-0 South Africa
47’ – What was Williams thinking? Has he not learnt from his team’s earlier mistake?
Restarted! Mexico 1-0 South Africa
46’ – South Africa get us going again and immediately work it back to Williams, who makes another poor pass that sends his team into trouble, gifting the ball to Fidalgo. He dribbles forward but fails to get a shot off when he should really be making it 2-0.
The teams are on their way back on to the pitch. Can South Africa come up with something meatier in this second period?
USA flag jeered at Azteca
The United States flag appeared to be met with loud boos and jeers before the opening game of the World Cup in Mexico City.
Ahead of the big kick-off between Mexico and South Africa, the flags of all 48 teams participating in this summer’s tournament were paraded onto the pitch.
The final three flags to take to the pitch were those of the three North American co-hosts, the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Half-time! Mexico 1-0 South Africa
The co-hosts deserve their lead at the break. It has been a fun watch, if not of the highest quality, with South Africa emerging a little from their shells after such an awful start as the half progressed.
Mexico have been a cut above in general but this result is not assured just yet.
Mexico 1-0 South Africa
47’ – Gallardo has a pop from range. It’s blocked and trickles through to the keeper.
