FIFA World Cup 2026 opens in style as Mexico celebrates day 1 victory

MEXICO (TNND) — The FIFA World Cup 2026 officially began Thursday in Mexico, with a festive opening ceremony and two exciting Group A matches setting the tone for the biggest World Cup in history. Hosted across Mexico, the United States, and Canada, the tournament opened at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, making history as the first stadium to host three World Cup opening matches.

Mexico delivers in front of home fans

After a vibrant opening ceremony featuring performances from international stars including Shakira and Burna Boy, host nation Mexico gave its supporters plenty to celebrate with a 2-0 victory over South Africa.

Julián Quiñones etched his name into World Cup history by scoring the tournament’s first goal, while veteran striker Raúl Jiménez added a second to seal the win. The match was physical and dramatic, producing three red cards and showcasing the intensity that fans expect from soccer’s biggest stage.

South Korea stages comeback victory

The second match of the day provided even more excitement as South Korea rallied from behind to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1 in Guadalajara. Hwang In-beom and substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu scored after halftime to complete the comeback and claim three valuable points in Group A.

The result leaves South Korea level with Mexico on points after the opening day, setting up an intriguing battle for the group’s top spot.

World Cup begins

Day 1 delivered everything football fans could hope for: packed stadiums, memorable goals, dramatic moments, and a celebration of the sport’s global reach. With Mexico and South Korea opening their campaigns with victories, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially underway, and the road to the final has begun.

As 48 nations compete across North America over the next five weeks, opening day served as a reminder of why the World Cup remains the world’s most celebrated sporting event.