A defensive error was a major reason behind South Africa's defeat in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mexico took advantage of that error early in the match to score a goal, which ultimately determined the course of the match.
Asian giants South Korea will face two-time runners-up Czechia in the second match of the opening day of World Cup 2026 at 8pm local time (02:00 GMT Friday). South Korea, Asia’s most successful team at the World Cup, begin their 2026 campaign with a game against Czechia, who are back at the tournament after a 20-year absence.
Mexico ignited their World Cup party with a dominant 2-0 victory over nine-man South Africa on Thursday as the biggest ever edition of the global footballing showpiece kicked off at the iconic Estadio Azteca.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to usher in a new era of global football history, with a record 13 Muslim-majority nations qualifying for the tournament—marking one of the most diverse and globally representative line-ups ever seen in the competition.
The biggest football event in history began at Mexico's historic Azteca Stadium. The event officially opened with a colorful ceremony, world-class artist performances, and thousands of spectators cheering. For the first time, three countries—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—are jointly hosting the World Cup, which is being considered a new chapter in football history.
The whole world is now waiting for the biggest and most colorful event in the history of world football. A storm of excitement and discussion has already begun around the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This event will be organized simultaneously in three countries - the United States, Canada and Mexico, which is a unique and exceptional event in the history of the World Cup. This time, for the first time, 48 teams will participate in the tournament, which has never happened before. As a result, as the scope of the competition is increasing, the number of matches will also increase significantly to a total of 104. This huge event is not only expanding the scope of football, but also creating new opportunities and challenges for teams from every continent.