Mexico’s Julian Quinones, left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
AP

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is under way as host Mexico takes on South Africa in the Group A clash at the Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico on June 11, 2026.

Julian Quinones scored for Mexico in the 9th minute at the majestic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, where more than 114,000 people watched Diego Maradona’s Argentina beat West Germany in a five-goal thriller to lift the World Cup in 1986.

Yaya Sithole received a red card in the 50th minute, reducing South Africa to 10 men to put further pressure on the African side that has struggled under pressure from the Mexican players.

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Incidentally, Mexico and South Africa had also met in the 2010 World Cup opening game on June 11, 2010, at Soccer City in Johannesburg, which ended 1-1.

Group A has Mexico, South Africa, Czechia and South Korea. Mexico starts as the favourite to top the pool. South Africa is ranked 60th, the lowest in the group.

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