A chaotic opener featuring three red cards in Mexico City and a stunning comeback by South Korea in Guadalajara has set an electric tone for the expanded 2026 World Cup. With the stage now set for the first match ever played on Canadian soil, the tournament has officially begun its journey across three nations.
The greatest World Cup in history officially kicked off on Thursday with immediate and intense drama. The opening day of the 104-match tournament, which spans 39 days across Canada, the United States, and Mexico, delivered two Group A fixtures that perfectly illustrated the unpredictability expected from a 48-team format. For Canadian supporters eagerly awaiting their national team’s first appearance, the opening matches served as both a spectacular show and a strategic scouting opportunity for the road ahead.
Mexico claims historic first victory in World Cup opener
The action began in the legendary atmosphere of the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where more than 80,000 fans filled the stadium for a curtain-raiser celebrated by singers Shakira and rock band Maná. The match between Mexico and South Africa quickly transformed into one of the most disorderly and chaotic opening games the tournament has ever witnessed, defined by a lack of discipline that overshadowed the football itself.
Despite the chaos, the match began with a moment of precision. In the ninth minute, Erik Lira intercepted a pass from a South African defender attempting to play out from the back. This breakdown allowed winger Julián Quiñones to slip the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, securing the first goal of the entire 2026 tournament. The second goal, however, carried profound emotional weight. Raúl Jiménez, a player who fractured his skull in a terrifying collision during his time with Wolverhampton in 2020, rose from the deck to head home his first-ever World Cup goal. The moment saw him leave the field in tears, a testament to his resilience and the significance of the achievement.
Yet, the defining narrative of the match was the shocking lack of discipline. Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio issued three red cards, a record for a World Cup opening match and the first instance of three dismissals in any World Cup game in two decades. South Africa lost Sphephelo Sithole in the first half and Themba Zwane in the second, with the latter dismissal confirmed after a video review revealed a swipe across the face of Roberto Alvarado. Mexico’s César Montes was also dismissed late in the game for hauling down a South African breakaway attempt. All three players will now face suspension for their next group stage matches.
For the co-hosts, the result was as vital as the manner of the victory. Javier Aguirre’s side recorded their first-ever win in a World Cup opening match, a historic milestone after a history of five losses and two draws in previous openers. The team achieved this feat while integrating 17-year-old midfielder Gilberto Mora into a central role, showcasing one of the most promising young talents in global football. The 2-0 victory, secured with a clean sheet despite the late dismissal, marked Mexico’s most convincing World Cup performance in recent years.
South Korea’s dramatic comeback proves dark-horse potential
If the opening match was defined by bedlam, the second fixture in Guadalajara was a story of pure resolve. South Korea, ranked 25th in the world, fell behind to the 38th-ranked Czechia but managed to rally for a 2-1 victory in front of a partially filled Estadio Akron, signaling their credentials as serious contenders for the title.
The first half was a forgettable display that saw both teams jeered off by the crowd, with Czechia striking first in the 59th minute. Captain Ladislav Krejčí climbed highest to head in a long throw, a set-piece the Czechs had relied on heavily throughout their qualifying campaign. South Korea’s response, however, became the goal of the day. Eight minutes later, Lee Kang-in threaded a perfect pass to Hwang In-beom, who feigned a shot to wrong-foot two defenders and the goalkeeper before calmly stroking the equalizer into the corner. The build-up to this goal involved 25 passes, one of the longest sequences leading to a goal in World Cup history.
The drama continued to unfold as Tomáš Souček believed he had restored Czechia’s lead with a 77th-minute header. However, an offside flag, confirmed after a video review, wiped out the goal. Three minutes later, South Korea capitalized on the error. Substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu, who admitted afterward that a 38-degree fever had left him unsure he could play at all, tucked away a low cross from Hwang to score the winner. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu then preserved the lead with a diving save deep into stoppage time, securing the victory.
South Korea finished the match with 15 shots to Czechia’s eight, displaying the look of genuine dark horses. The win also marked another significant milestone for captain Son Heung-min, who has now become one of only two players to feature at four different World Cups for his country, alongside the current head coach Hong Myung-bo.
Group A remains wide open ahead of Canada’s historic debut
The two results leave Mexico and South Korea level on three points at the top of Group A, with the hosts ahead only on goal difference. South Africa and Czechia, both defeated and now facing potential suspensions or selection headaches due to their disciplinary issues, must regroup quickly to avoid falling further behind.
For Canadian viewers, Thursday’s matches served as the ultimate warm-up act. The national team is set to begin its own campaign on Friday at a sold-out BMO Field in Toronto against Bosnia and Herzegovina. This match represents the first men’s World Cup game ever staged on Canadian soil, marking a historic moment for the nation. Jesse Marsch’s side, drawn in Group B alongside Bosnia, Qatar, and Switzerland, will play the remainder of its group stage matches at BC Place in Vancouver. After watching three other co-host nations and tournament heavyweights take the stage, Canada is eager to announce itself in front of a home crowd that has waited a generation for this moment.
If opening day proved anything, it is that this expanded World Cup intends to be loud, fast, and full of surprises. The tournament has already delivered three red cards, a tearful redemption story, a fever-stricken match-winner, and a 25-pass masterpiece, all before Canada has even kicked a ball. The hosts could hardly have asked for a more electric overture to a tournament that, for the next five weeks, belongs in part to them.