As joint hosts alongside the United States and Canada, Mexico kicked off its World Cup campaign on a high note on Thursday by overcoming the Bafana Bafana. However, the fixture will primarily be remembered for the dismissals of three players, including the home team’s skipper in the dying moments of the match.
On the pitch, the Mexican national football squad enjoyed a triumphant entry into the tournament against South Africa, playing before a packed and electric crowd at the Azteca Stadium.
Entering the clash as favorites, the Mexicans established the tempo early on when the lively Julian Quinones found the back of the net in the 9th minute, remaining a constant thorn in South Africa’s side throughout the evening. El Tri’s dominance intensified during the second half following the expulsion of South African midfielder Yaya Sithole in the 49th minute for a foul on Brian Gutierrez just outside the penalty area.
The outcome was subsequently put beyond doubt by national talisman Raul Jimenez in the 67th minute, who executed a precise header past an exposed Ronwen Williams, who was once again abandoned by his backline. Afterward, the match’s already disrupted rhythm slowed down significantly due to further red cards issued to South Africa’s Themba Zwane in the 84th minute and Mexico’s Cesar Montes during stoppage time (90+2).
The Estadio Azteca in Mexico City resonated with the energy of the first of three scheduled opening ceremonies, with the remaining two slated ahead of the opening games for co-hosts Canada and the United States.
The privilege of launching the 15-minute artistic spectacle fell to Mexican vocalist Lila Downs, who delivered a message calling for global unity across the Americas and beyond. Following showcases by various Mexican and Hispanic performers, including Colombian artist J Balvin, Shakira and Burna Boy took the stage to sing their specially crafted World Cup track “Dai Dai.” During their performance, the letters forming the FIFA acronym descended from the stadium roof to conclude the artistic segment.
Following Latin American icons like Belinda, one of the region’s premier international figures made his entrance. Colombia’s J Balvin mimicked an arrival by vehicle before being surrounded by a troupe of dancers. The 41-year-old performer delivered a three-song medley, opening with “Que Calor” and transitioning to “I Like It” before handing over the spotlight to Shakira on the field.
Anticipation for this 2026 World Cup has been mounting for weeks, largely driven by a regular fixture of these major tournaments: pop icon Shakira. She was naturally present at the opening ceremony to perform “Dai Dai” alongside Burna Boy. Together, they delivered a highly expressive, dance-infused performance rich in themes of shared humanity.
Ultimately, after a vibrant ceremony, attention shifted to the game itself. Prior to the national anthems, the crowd was treated to the official World Cup anthem produced by David Guetta (who missed the event due to his Monolith Tour at the Stade de France). On the pitch, tenor Andrea Bocelli and K-Pop sensation Ejae delivered the final performance. It was a hopeful presentation that perfectly launched a spectacular month of tournament football.