Mexico 2-0 South Africa: El Tri Open World Cup 2026 at Estadio Azteca

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is officially underway. On June 11, in front of a thunderous sold-out crowd at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico got the home World Cup off to the perfect start with a 2-0 victory over South Africa.

The Result

Mexico 2 – 0 South Africa Group A, Matchday 1 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City | June 11, 2026

The Occasion

This match will be remembered as one of the most emotionally charged moments in Mexican football history. El Tri played the opening match of a World Cup on home soil — and they delivered. The Azteca, a stadium that carries almost mythical status in world football, was absolutely electric from the moment the teams walked out.

South Africa came in determined to spoil the party. The Bafana Bafana are a resilient, well-organised side, and they were not going to make this easy for the hosts. For long stretches of the first half, it was a tight, tense contest.

But Mexico's quality told. They created the clearer chances, finished more clinically, and controlled the game well in the second half once the lead was established. A 2-0 victory that, while not a rout, sends exactly the message El Tri wanted to send to the rest of the tournament.

Group A Standings After Matchday 1

South Korea also won on the opening day — beating Czech Republic 2-1 at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara — meaning Group A was set up for an intense battle from the very beginning.

South Africa's World Cup Challenge

For South Africa, it is a difficult start. But Bafana Bafana have proven before that they can recover from opening setbacks — they need to respond in Matchday 2 against Czech Republic.

The World Cup Has Begun

With the opening match complete, the 2026 World Cup is now fully in motion. The tournament runs until July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. All 48 teams, 104 matches, three nations.

See the full World Cup 2026 schedule and track every group at Kickoff26.