Result Mexico 2 - 0 South Africa, Thursday, 11 June 2026, World Cup Matchday 1 What a fantastic beginning! Mexico triumphed over South Africa with a score of 2-0 in the inaugural match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The match kicked off the World Cup festivities on Thursday, June 11, 2026. The co-hosts, Mexico, dominated the game in front of a passionate home crowd, earning their first three points and quickly rising to the top of Group A. In terms of match highlights, Julián Quiñones got Mexico on the scoreboard in the 9th minute, taking advantage of a defensive mistake. Raúl Jiménez added the second goal with a header from a cross by Roberto Alvarado in the 67th minute, sealing the win. This goal was Jiménez’s 46th international goal for Mexico. Regarding discipline, the match was quite physical, resulting in an astonishing three red cards, which set a World Cup record for an opening game. South Africa's Sphephelo Sithole was sent off in the 49th minute, followed by Themba Zwane in the 84th minute, leaving South Africa with only nine players. Mexico’s César Montes also received a red card during stoppage time in the 92nd minute. The Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, marking it as the first stadium to host three opening matches of the World Cup. Statistics: In major international competitions, Mexico and South Africa have clashed 4 times. Mexico holds the advantage in their overall encounters, with 2 victories compared to South Africa's 1, and 1 match ending in a draw. This match marks the beginning of 104 games in total during the expanded 48-team era. It's definitely exciting! Mexico becomes the first country to host the men’s World Cup three times, with 2026 (in partnership with the United States and Canada) joining their iconic solo editions in 1970 and 1986. Who do you think will come out on top? Many are backing the Mexican team to win this match. What about you?   👉   Click here for  Full 2026 World Cup Squad Lists – Confirmed rosters for all 48 teams. 👉  Click here for  2026 World Cup Group Stage Standings. Serie A players called up for  🇲🇽  the Mexico National team:

• AC Milan Santiago Gimenez, listed as a substitute.
• Genoa defender Johan Vasquez, played all game.

Serie A players called up for 🇿🇦  the South Africa National team: None  

🏆👉 🇲🇽 Mexico 1 - 0 South Africa 🇿🇦  

⚽️   In the 9th minute, Goal by Julián Quiñones l!!!!! A significant mistake in the build-up by Sithole, who loses possession just outside the box while being pressured by Lira. The ball lands at Quinones' feet, and he takes the opportunity to score, sliding his shot through the goalkeeper's legs and into the net. This marks the first goal of the 2026 World Cup!  

Julián Quiñones nets Mexico's third quickest goal in World Cup history! Plus, it's the very first goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup!!!!

    Credit via x.com/FIFAWorldCup     Photos via x.com/miseleccionmxEN

Juliááááán.

Let's goooooooo! 🇲🇽 1-0 🇿🇦 #SomosMéxico pic.twitter.com/yBGG47LmQ3 — Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) June 11, 2026

 

🏆👉 🇲🇽 Mexico 1 - 0 South Africa 🇿🇦

In the 49th minute, South Africa faced a significant setback! Yaya Sithole received a red card. Gutierrez was on a breakaway towards the goal, and Sithole attempted to impede his progress by clipping his heels. Although he managed to stop Gutierrez just outside the box, he was still shown a red card! Now, South Africa is down to 10 men.  

🏆👉 🇲🇽 Mexico 2 - 0 South Africa 🇿🇦

In the 67th minute, Raul Jimenez, at 35 years old, nets his inaugural World Cup goal during his first start in the tournament! Jimenez heads the ball into the net, extending Mexico's lead to 2–0, thanks to a brilliant cross from Alvarado. This goal elevates him to second place on his national team's all-time scoring list, with only Chicharito Hernandez ahead of him by six goals.

67’⏱️ | GOOOOOOAAAAAAAL!

Raúl Jiménez with a header puts it two! Let's Goooooooo! 🇲🇽 2-0 🇿🇦#SomosMéxico | #FWC26 | #J1 | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/1U4lSMTygd — Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) June 11, 2026

      Credit via x.com/FIFAWorldCup  

🏆👉   🇲🇽 Mexico 2 - 0 South Africa 🇿🇦

In the 84th minute, Zwane is shown a red card! South Africa ends the match with nine players. Zwane hits an opponent in the face with his left arm. Referee Sampaio, after reviewing the incident on the VAR monitor, decides to issue a red card.  

🏆👉 Result 🇲🇽 Mexico 2 - 0 South Africa 🇿🇦

In the 92nd minute, a foul was committed on Mudau as he sprinted towards the goal. The referee promptly issued a red card to César Montes. This marked the first time in World Cup history that three players were sent off in an opening match. Mexico finished the game with 10 players.  

Julián Quiñones has been named the MVP of the match. A well-deserved honor!

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The Azteca Stadium is set for Mexico vs South Africa

   Mexico National team World Cup 2026 Squad list:

• Goalkeepers: Raul Rangel (Guadalajara), Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol), Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna)
• Defenders: Jorge Sanchez (PAOK), Israel Reyes (Club America), Cesar Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Johan Vasquez (Genoa), Jesus Gallardo (Toluca), Mateo Chavez (AZ)
• Midfielders: Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Orbelin Pineda (AEK Athens), Alvaro Fidalgo (Real Betis), Roberto Alvarado, Brian Gutierrez, Luis Romo (Guadalajara), Edson Alvarez (West Ham), Obed Vargas (Atletico Madrid), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), Luis Chavez (Dynamo Moscow)
• Forwards: Cesar Huerta (Anderlecht), Alexis Vega (Toluca), Julian Quinones (Al-Qadsiah), Guillermo Martinez (UNAM), Armando Gonzalez (Guadalajara), Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan), Raul Jimenez (Fulham)

    South Africa World Cup 2026 Squad list:

• Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)
• Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Khulumani Ndamane (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates), Ime Okon (Hannover), Samukele Kabini (Molde FK), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire)
• Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela)
• Forwards: Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Relebohile Mofokeng (all Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley), Iqraam Rayners, Themba Zwane (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol)

 

Mexico official starting lineup against South Africa

Photo via x.com/  

South Africa official starting lineup against Mexico

  Credit via x.com/BafanaBafana       Buy FIFA World Cup Tickets Sports, Football, Soccer, FIFA World Cup Tickets World Cup Group A Match 1 Mexico 2 - 0 South Africa Thursday, 11 June 2026 Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City. Kick-off Time: 1:00 PM local time (Mexico City); 3:00 PM ET; 9:00 PM Pretoria. Referee: Wilton Sampaio BRA Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Pires BRA Assistant Referee 2: Bruno Boschilia BRA Fourth Official: Juan Benitez PAR Reserve AR: Eduardo Cardozo PAR VAR: Nicolas Gallo COL AVAR: Juan Lara CHI SVAR: Jerome Brisard FRA Fact: This match is a rematch of the opening game from the 2010 World Cup, where South Africa faced Mexico, resulting in a 1-1 draw. ⚽️   Goals: 9' Julián Quiñones (M), 67' Raúl Jiménez (M) 🟨   Yellow Cards:  17' Teboho Mokoena (S), 23' Brian Gutiérrez (M), 74' Nkosinathi Sibisi (S), 🟥   Red Card:  49' Yaya Sithole (S), 84' Themba Zwane (S), 92' Themba Zwane (M) ✅  Official lineups - Tabellino: ========================

 📺     Click the video to watch Mexico - South Africa on Thursday, 11 June 2026

 

Reactions after the game.

“The World Cup is a brutal stage”: Head Coach Aguirre analyzes Mexico’s winning debut. Raúl Jiménez takes the Goal of the Match | Mexico vs. South Africa Julián Quiñones reacts to his first World Cup goal.