The 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially begun, with excitement already evident as the first match kicked off in Mexico. Talksport presenter Simon Jordan highlighted the tournament’s influence, particularly noting soccer’s rise in the United States. It’s now the third most popular sport in the country, overtaking baseball and hockey.
The tournament is anticipated to break records with an expected sale of 6.5 million tickets, despite challenges faced by previous World Cups. The opening ceremony took place at Mexico City Stadium, formerly known as Estadio Azteca. Mexico, the host for the start of the tournament, won the first of 104 matches against South Africa, securing a 2-0 victory.
Mexico dominated from the beginning, scoring in the ninth minute. Raul Jimenez celebrated with teammates after his milestone goal, marking his first goal in World Cup history during his fourth tournament appearance. His goal in the 67th minute was a header from a precise cross by Roberto Alvarado.
South Africa struggled to recover, especially after Yaya Sithole received a red card in the 50th minute. This left them with only ten players, complicating their efforts to mount a comeback. They received another red card in the 84th minute, while Mexico’s Cesar Montes received one in the 92nd minute. These players will miss the forthcoming matches against Czechia and Korea.
This match marks the 15th time Mexico has won when scoring first in World Cup history, drawing five times and losing only three. FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended the opening ceremony, where all 48 competing countries were represented, and the FIFA World Cup Trophy was present.