Mexico’s forward #16 Julian Quinones celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates defender #15 Israel Reyes and defender #03 Cesar Montes during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026. (Photo by Yuri CORTEZ / AFP)
Mexico forward Julián Quiñones etched his name into World Cup history on Thursday by scoring the first goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Quiñones struck in the ninth minute of the tournament’s opening match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, sending the home crowd into celebration.
Mexico’s forward #16 Julian Quinones celebrates scoring his team’s first goal next to teammate midfielder #26 Brian Gutierrez during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026. (Photo by Yuri CORTEZ / AFP)
The goal marked the first of the expanded 48-team World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada. It also made Quiñones the first player to find the net at the tournament, earning a place in World Cup folklore.
