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Mexico's Julian Quinones celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2026 World Cup Group A match vs South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium on June 11, 2026. [Rodrigo OROPEZA / AFP]
Mexico kicked off the 2026 FIFA World Cup in style, defeating South Africa 2-0 at a packed Estadio Azteca to register their first-ever victory in a World Cup opening match.
Playing before more than 80,000 passionate supporters in Mexico City, the co-hosts produced a composed performance to launch their campaign on a winning note while also making history at one of football's most iconic venues.
The victory ended a long-standing hoodoo for El Tri, who had failed to win any of their previous seven World Cup openers, recording five defeats and two draws, including their memorable 1-1 stalemate against hosts South Africa at the 2010 tournament.
