Mexico brought the noise, South Korea brought the comeback, and Group A already looks unsettled before Canada steps in.
The 2026 World Cup opened with speed, emotion, and plenty of chaos. Two Group A matches started a 39-day tournament that will stretch across Canada, the United States, and Mexico, and the first day already suggested that the expanded field will be difficult to predict.
Mexico opened with a statement
The first match took place at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where a huge crowd and a celebratory pregame show set the tone. Once the whistle blew, Mexico turned the opener against South Africa into a night of milestones and mayhem.
Mexico struck first in the ninth minute. Erik Lira won the ball high up the field, and Julián Quiñones finished calmly through Ronwen Williams. Later, Raúl Jiménez added the second goal, heading in from close range to score his first World Cup goal and honoring a career that has already survived a devastating skull fracture.
The match will also be remembered for discipline problems. Referee Wilton Sampaio issued three red cards, a first for a World Cup opener and the most ever shown in a tournament curtain-raiser. South Africa lost Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane, while Mexico’s César Montes was sent off late for a foul on a breakaway. Each player will now miss the next group match.
- Mexico earned its first win in a World Cup opening match.
- South Africa finished with two dismissals and little room to recover.
- Gilberto Mora, only 17, played a major role in midfield.
- The 2-0 result gave Mexico a clean, controlled start despite the tension.
South Korea showed resilience in Guadalajara
The second match of the day offered a different kind of drama. South Korea fell behind Czechia in Guadalajara, but finished with a 2-1 comeback victory that made them look far more dangerous than their world ranking might suggest.
Czechia finally broke through in the 59th minute when captain Ladislav Krejčí rose to head in a long throw, the sort of set-piece weapon that has long defined their style. South Korea answered with quality. Lee Kang-in found Hwang In-beom, who used a sharp feint before curling the equalizer into the corner after a 25-pass buildup.
The decisive moment came late. Tomáš Souček had a goal ruled out for offside after review, and South Korea punished the miss almost immediately. Substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu, who later said he had played through a fever, finished Hwang’s low cross for the winner. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu then protected the lead with a late save.
| Match | Key Detail | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico vs. South Africa | Three red cards and an early goal | Mexico won 2-0 |
| South Korea vs. Czechia | Late winner after an offside review | South Korea won 2-1 |
Why the result matters
South Korea finished with more shots and more control after the break, and the performance gave them a strong case as one of the tournament’s early dark horses. Son Heung-min also added another career marker, becoming one of the few South Korean players to appear at four World Cups, alongside coach Hong Myung-bo.
Group A is already under pressure
After one day, Mexico and South Korea sit on three points each, with Mexico ahead only on goal difference. South Africa and Czechia both face immediate regrouping jobs, and both teams now have to manage the consequences of suspensions or lineup changes.
- Mexico leads Group A on goal difference.
- South Korea has the same number of points and a strong early claim.
- South Africa must replace suspended players.
- Czechia needs a faster attacking response in its next outing.
Canada’s moment comes next
For Canadian supporters, the opening day served as a preview rather than the main event. Canada begins its tournament against Bosnia and Herzegovina at BMO Field in Toronto, in the country’s first men’s World Cup match on home soil.
Jesse Marsch’s side will then continue its group schedule in Vancouver, where it shares Group B with Bosnia, Qatar, and Switzerland. After seeing two co-hosts and two challengers set the tone, Canada now has the chance to shape its own story in front of a home crowd that has waited years for this stage.
The larger message from opening day is simple: this tournament is likely to move quickly and punish mistakes. Mexico needed control, South Korea needed patience, and both got results. Canada now gets the next turn.