The biggest FIFA World Cup in history opened on June 11, 2026 at the historic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Hosts Mexico beat South Africa 2-0, in a match that made history with three red cards—the most in a World Cup opener.
Mexico City, June 11. The grand carnival of football—the FIFA World Cup 2026—has got off to a spectacular and thrilling start. The opening match of the biggest World Cup in history was played at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where hosts Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0. This World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and features 48 teams for the first time, making it the largest and most ambitious tournament in the event's history.
The Heroes of the Win at the Azteca
The heroes of Mexico's victory were Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez. Quiñones gave the hosts the lead by scoring in the opening minutes of the match, while Jiménez sealed the win with a second goal in the second half. It was Mexico's first-ever victory in a World Cup opener—the team had previously lost five and drawn two. The win sparked celebrations at a packed Estadio Azteca.
A History of Three Red Cards
The match will be remembered not only for the goals but also for an unwanted record. A total of three players were shown red cards—the most in any World Cup opener. South Africa had two players sent off—Yaya Sithole in the first half and Themba Zwane in the second. Mexico's defender César Montes received a red card in the dying stages of the match for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
South Africa Join a Rare Record
With two players sent off, South Africa joined a rare list. Before this, Cameroon in 1990 was the only team to have had two players red-carded in a World Cup opener. Forced to play with nine men, it became impossible for South Africa to peg back Mexico's lead. The strict decisions of referee Wilton Sampaio added drama to the contest.
The Historic Legacy of the Azteca
Mexico City's Estadio Azteca is a legendary venue in world football. The stadium has witnessed the World Cup finals of 1970 and 1986—the very ground where the great Diego Maradona produced his unforgettable 'Hand of God' and 'Goal of the Century' in 1986. With this 2026 World Cup, the Azteca has become the first stadium in the world to host matches at three different World Cups, further enriching its unique legacy.
A Grand Tournament of 48 Teams
This World Cup is historic in many ways. For the first time, the number of teams has been raised from 32 to 48, expanding both the scale and the excitement of the tournament. Spread across three countries—the United States, Canada and Mexico—the event is being hosted by dozens of cities. Hundreds of millions of football fans around the world, including in India, had been eagerly awaiting it. Although the Indian men's team failed to qualify, there is still tremendous enthusiasm for the tournament in India.
World Cup Fever in India
Even though the Indian team is not playing in this World Cup, the passion for football is at its peak in the country. On June 11, the Indian men's team's FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign ended with a 2-1 defeat to Qatar, leaving the team third in Group A and unable to make it to the World Cup in North America. Even so, the hundreds of millions of Indian fans of teams such as Argentina, Brazil, France and Portugal are ready to watch matches late into the night. Broadcast platforms are recording huge viewership, although in the early days some streaming services drew complaints of technical glitches and buffering. The growing popularity of football in India is a sign that, in this land of cricket, football too is fast carving out a place, with the young generation drawing inspiration from global stars such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and others. In several cities, arrangements have been made to show matches on big screens in public spaces.
What's Next
With the opening done, the thrill of football will now be at its peak for the next month. From the group-stage matches to the knockout rounds and then the title clash, fans around the world will be seen cheering on their favourite teams. Heavyweights such as Argentina, Brazil, France, Spain and England are seen as strong contenders for the title. The hosts' brilliant start has kindled fresh hope among Mexican fans. In the weeks ahead, it will be fascinating to see which team emerges as the winner of this vast and historic tournament.
