by Maura Carey and Tim Jacobs
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway, and co-host Mexico opened the tournament with a 2-0 win over South Africa on Thursday.
Julián Quiñones scored the first goal of the World Cup in the ninth minute, while Raúl Jiménez added a second-half header in a match that saw South Africa reduced to nine players and Mexico to 10 after three red cards.
Follow along for live updates, highlights, analysis and scenes from the opening day of soccer’s biggest event.
Mexico’s 2-0 win over South Africa brought joy to El Tri’s army of fans.
“Let’s go for more,” Isidro Martínez, an excited 36-year-old businessman, said after Mexico took the lead early in the first half.
Martínez, his brother, and a friend were among the throngs of people who watched the match at a fan fest in Mexico City’s main square. It was one of 18 in cities throughout Mexico.
At the Angel monument on one of the capital’s main avenues, hundreds of fans watched as Mexico doubled its lead in the second half of a choppy game that ended with three red card ejections, including one for a Mexican player.
“We are going to win my friend, We’re going for it all!” screamed Gerry Legarreta, a 52-year-old American who traveled from the Texas border city of El Paso to celebrate his birthday while watching the game.
In front of him, a group of people, including children, danced in a circle waving the Mexican flag. On the other side of the traffic circle, a band added to the raucous atmosphere by banging drums and playing trumpets.
In Tacuba, an area in northern Mexico City, Irene Rosell Soriano cheered on El Tri from a wheelchair, her legs covered by the Mexican flag.
“These are the final games of my life,” said Rosell Soriano, who at age 92, was probably the oldest fan at that watch party. “And, well, I have to enjoy them.”
