The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first in history to be co-hosted by three nations—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—has officially commenced.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the tournament's opening match featured Group A opponents Mexico and South Africa.
The encounter, held at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, concluded with a 2-0 victory for the host nation. The goals were scored by Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez, securing a strong start for the Mexican side in front of a home crowd.
The match was marked by disciplinary challenges, with the South African team finishing the game with nine players. Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane were both shown red cards and forced to leave the pitch. Mexico also saw a player dismissed, with Cesar Montes receiving a red card during the contest.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup represents a significant milestone in football history, as it is the first time the tournament is being hosted across three different countries. This expanded format aims to showcase the sport's growing popularity across North America, with matches scheduled to take place in various major cities across the three host nations.
In the other Group A fixture, the South Korean national team is set to face the Czech Republic. That match is scheduled to begin at 06:00 Baku time. The tournament is slated to conclude on July 19.
