Mexico opened its home World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over South Africa on June 11, 2026, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Three red cards were issued during the match, making it the first World Cup opening game in history to produce that level of disciplinary chaos. South Africa finished with nine men on the pitch. Mexico had ten.
Two goals, three ejections, and a record nobody wanted
Julián Quiñones gave the host nation an early lead, finding the net in the 9th minute.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first to be co-hosted by three nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
