The 2026 FIFA World Cup roared to life on Thursday, June 11, with Group A delivering drama, goals, and history as co-hosts Mexico and Korea Republic claimed opening day victories. Mexico kicked off the tournament at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and beat South Africa 2-0 in front of a packed home crowd.
Julián Quiñones scored the first goal of the World Cup in the ninth minute after picking off a loose pass, and Raúl Jiménez doubled the lead in the 67th minute with a header from a Roberto Alvarado cross. “Mexico was the better team from the jump, scoring in the ninth minute after already having two corner kicks,” match reports noted.
The opening match made history for several reasons. It marked the first time since 1930 that Mexico won the opening game of the tournament.
It also became the first opening match in World Cup history to record three red cards. South Africa’s Yaya Sithole was sent off in the 50th minute for bringing down Mexico’s Brian Gutiérrez on a breakaway.
Themba Zwane received a second red for South Africa in the 84th minute, and Mexico’s César Montes was dismissed in the 92nd minute.
Hours later, Korea Republic turned up the heat in Zapopan with a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Czechia at Estadio Akron. Czechia went ahead in the 59th minute through a header from captain Ladislav Krejčí.
Korea responded after the break with goals from Hwang In-beom in the 67th minute and substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu in the 80th minute. The result gave Korea three points and set up a blockbuster clash with Mexico later in the group stage.
After the opening fixtures, Group A has Mexico and Korea Republic both on three points with one win each.
Mexico leads on goal difference with a plus two, having scored two goals and conceded none. Korea sits second with a plus one goal difference after scoring two and conceding one.
Czechia and South Africa are both on zero points after their defeats, with Czechia at minus one goal difference and South Africa at minus two.
Group A features Mexico, South Africa, Korea, and Czechia, with the top two teams advancing to the round of 32 in the expanded 48-team tournament.
The group resumes next with Czechia facing South Africa in Atlanta and Mexico taking on Korea in Guadalajara.
