The 2026 World Cup began with a victory for one of the three host teams. This Thursday (11), Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 at the Azteca Stadium, in Mexico City, in the opening of Group A of the World Cup. The bracket, almost all of which will be played on Mexican territory, still includes South Korea and the Czech Republic, who will face each other on Thursday night (11), at 11pm (Brasília time), at the Akron Stadium, in Zapopan. The South Koreans are Mexico's next opponents, on June 18, at 1 pm, in the only group match to be held in the United States - the game will be at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, in Atlanta. On the same day, Bafana Bafana (the South African team's nickname) faces the Czechs at 10pm, at Akron. Related news: Opening of the 2026 World Cup thrills the Azteca Stadium, in Mexico. Belief in world hexa increases 10 points, shows Quest research. About to debut in the World Cup, Ancelotti gives no clues about the lineup. For the first time, a Brazilian trio had the responsibility of refereeing the opening game of a World Cup. The mission fell to referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio and assistants Bruno Pires, also from Goiás, and Bruno Boschilia from Paraná. Another historical detail is that Azteca became the first stadium to host games in three World Cups, after also participating in 1970 and 1986. Next year, the Beira-Rio Stadium, in Porto Alegre, will be the pioneer in statistics among Brazilians, as it is one of the venues for the Women's World Cup in Brazil - previously it hosted matches from the 1950 and 2014 men's editions. Triumph in an Unconditional Atmosphere 👊 #SomosMéxico 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/ur3o2R9OdW June 11, 2026 Pushed by the shouts of "México" and "olé" from the more than 80 thousand fans present at the Azteca, the home team didn't take long to open the score. In the eighth minute, goalkeeper Ronwen Williams tried to play with Sphephelo Sithole, but the midfielder, with his back turned, was disarmed by midfielder Érik Lira. The ball went to striker Juan Quinõnes, who sent it into the net, scoring the first goal of the World Cup. Even though the pace slowed down in the first few minutes, Mexico kept the game under control. The second goal almost came in the 41st minute, again with Quiñones, who received it from midfielder Brian Gutiérrez in the area, on the penalty spot, and hit the South African left post. The final stage started in a similar way to the initial one, with the Mexicans taking advantage of a bad ball from Bafana Bafana. In the first minute, midfielder Alvaro Fidalgo made the tackle at the edge of the area, took it to the baseline and tried to cross low. The defense moved away and Gutiérrez took a risk from outside the area, over the goal.         See this photo on Instagram                       A post shared by FIFA World Cup (@fifaworldcup) The South African mission became more difficult in the fourth minute, with Sithole being sent off for a foul on Gutiérrez, who was in the face of Williams to finish. The numerical superiority, however, did not change Mexico's rhythmic playing posture. The local fans' irritation with the team's slowness, even with the advantage, turned into double joy. First, in the 20th minute, when coach Javier Aguirre sent 17-year-old midfielder Gilberto Mora onto the field, considered the great revelation of Mexican football. Then, in the next minute, in a counterattack initiated by Quiñones, in which Roberto Alvarado crossed from the right and striker Raul Jímenez headed it home. He equaled former center forward Jared Borgetti as the second highest scorer in Mexico's history, with 46 goals. Without being able to react, South Africa still lost another player sent off. In the 36th minute, after being called to the video, Wilton Pereira Sampaio gave midfielder Themba Zwane a red card for hitting Alvarado in the face without the ball and out of play. In stoppage time, the Brazilian referee placed another athlete off the field. This time it was defender César Montes, from Mexico, who brought down Khuliso Mudau near the edge of the area, as the full-back was heading towards goal alone. Nothing, however, that would impact the final result of the match.