Mexico Kicks Off 2026 World Cup Campaign with 2-0 Victory Over South Africa

Mexico has successfully launched its 2026 FIFA World Cup journey, securing a decisive 2-0 victory over South Africa in their Group A opener. The highly anticipated match, held at the historic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, saw goals from Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez, delighting the more than 80,000 fans in attendance as the tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, got underway.

The home side wasted no time making an impact, with Julián Quiñones, a standout performer in the Saudi league, netting the opening goal just nine minutes into the contest. Veteran striker Raúl Jiménez then doubled Mexico's advantage in the 66th minute with a well-placed header. This goal marked Jiménez's 46th international strike, placing him level for second all-time in scoring for the Mexican national team.

The game, however, was not without its disciplinary moments, as three red cards were issued. South Africa found themselves reduced to nine players after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were both sent off. Mexico also saw a player dismissed, with defender César Montes receiving a red card in injury time. Quiñones, a Colombian-born forward, was among six players making their World Cup debut for El Tri, signaling a fresh start for the squad after their group stage exit in Qatar 2022. Mexico will now look to build on this strong start when they face South Korea next in Guadalajara, while South Africa prepares for their upcoming fixture against the Czech Republic in Atlanta.