Mexico Opend FIFA World Cup 2026 With 2-0 Win Over South Africa
Ethan Moore 
Key Takeaways
- Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 at Estadio Azteca to open the 2026 World Cup, with goals from Julián Quiñones (9') and Raúl Jiménez (67').
- The match set a tournament record with three red cards — the most ever in a World Cup match — leaving South Africa down to nine men.
- Mexico went in as heavy favorites (around -209 to -250) and delivered, with the 2-0 scoreline landing under the 2.5 goals line.
- Both teams next play on June 18: South Africa face Czechia in Atlanta, and Mexico take on South Korea in Zapopan.
Mexico vs South Africa Scores
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off Thursday at a roaring Estadio Azteca, with co-hosts Mexico facing South Africa in a Group A fixture. Mexico won the opening match of the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over South Africa. El Tri struck early through Julián Quiñones' 9th-minute goal and dominated possession, carrying a 1-0 lead into the break while South Africa managed just a single shot on goal and were second-best throughout the match. The second came when Raúl Jiménez capitalized with a 67th-minute header after an inch-perfect cross from Roberto Alvarado, putting the game away for good — an emotional milestone for the 35-year-old striker. The defining feature of the night, though, was discipline: the match featured three red cards in total, the first opening match in World Cup history to feature three dismissals. South Africa's Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane, and Mexico's César Montes all will miss their team's next game, with South Africa finishing the match down to nine players.
Betting Odds for Mexico in FIFA World Cup
Mexico entered as overwhelming favorites across the market, and the books were proven right. Pre-match moneyline prices for the hosts sat around -209 to -250, with South Africa a long shot near +700 to +750 and the draw priced around +340 to +360. The over-under for goals was set at 2.5. Markets like these were available at major sportsbooks including 1xBet, Betwinner, and Betway. The outcome lined up cleanly with expectations: the favorites held serve, and the 2-0 result landed Under 2.5 goals, rewarding the consensus lean of a low-scoring Mexico win.
Future Matches
Both sides return to action on matchday two. On Thursday, June 18, Czechia faces South Africa in Atlanta (noon ET), and Mexico take on South Korea in Zapopan, Mexico (11 p.m. ET). South Korea opened its campaign with a win over Czechia on day one, meaning Mexico's matchday-two opponent already has points on the board, while South Africa must regroup from a difficult opener with two key suspensions to absorb.
