Mexico officially launched the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over South Africa in an opening match played in Mexico City. The game, held in front of a home crowd, set an unenviable record: the first match in tournament history to feature three sendings-off.
The Bafana Bafana never truly threatened the hosts, despite a tight contest in 2010 that ended in a 1-1 draw. This time, the gap widened early in the first half, giving Mexico a clear and decisive win. Fans in the stands witnessed a spectacle where efficiency took precedence over pure entertainment, far from the expectations of an opening match. In terms of broadcast, Fox made headlines by airing live commercial breaks during the game—a move that surprised some observers accustomed to more traditional formats. Meanwhile, rumors of a Shakira performance, as seen in previous editions, did not materialize. Organizers opted for other entertainment to pace the event. This first day of the 2026 World Cup, already marked by excess, confirms the trend of pushing boundaries. Between expulsion records and TV innovations, the tournament seems set to leave a lasting impression beyond the pitch. Mexican supporters, meanwhile, savored a victory that ideally kickstarts their home campaign.
The 2026 World Cup pushes excess to its limits, and this is only the beginning. As for South Africa, despite the loss, they made history by participating in the opening match. Sixteen years after Tshabalala’s legendary goal in 2010, the Bafana Bafana returned to the Azteca pitch, though this time under far less glorious circumstances. Their journey in the 2026 World Cup already looks fraught with challenges.
Their return to Mexico evokes contrasting memories.
Fréderic Manet · 12 juin 2026 · 2 min de lecture
