Julian Quiñones Scores Historic Opening Goal at FIFA World Cup 2026
Published June 12, 2026
Mexican forward Julian Quiñones has etched his name into FIFA World Cup history, scoring the very first goal of the 2026 tournament in Mexico City.
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, kicked off with a bang as Mexico's Julian Quiñones found the back of the net, marking the tournament's inaugural goal. The 29-year-old striker's historic strike came during Mexico's 2-0 victory over South Africa at a vibrant Estadio Azteca, sending the packed 80,000-seat stadium into a frenzy. This significant moment not only gave the host nation an early lead but also made Quiñones the first player from a CONCACAF country to score the opening goal of a World Cup.
Quiñones, who recently enjoyed a prolific season in the Saudi Pro League by outscoring superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, demonstrated his sharp form on football's biggest stage. The crucial goal arrived just nine minutes into the match. A defensive error from South Africa, specifically a misplaced pass and poor control, allowed Mexico's Erik Lira to seize possession. Lira quickly fed Quiñones, who, from the edge of the penalty area, unleashed a powerful shot that threaded past the South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and into the net.
The early goal set the tone for Mexico's campaign in the expanded 48-team tournament, which will feature 104 matches across 16 venues in North America from June to July 2026. Quiñones's performance underscores his rising profile, following a season where he netted 33 goals in 31 league appearances for Al Qadsiah, surpassing Ronaldo's 28 goals in 30 matches for Al Nassr. His decisive contribution ensures a memorable start for the hosts and for the tournament itself.