For the third time in history, the World Cup started in Mexico: 80 thousand fans were present this Thursday (11) at the Azteca Stadium, a temple of football. The home team won. The Mexican team debuted with a victory: 2-0 over South Africa. The person who followed everything closely was reporter André Gallindo. "This Thursday, June 11, 2026, was highly anticipated. I would say since the final whistle of the Qatar decision, between Argentina and France. Because today would mark the beginning of an unprecedented tournament, with 48 teams, 104 games, three countries involved. And what we saw here, witnessed at the Azteca Stadium, justified all this expectation. An ecstatic audience. An opening show that included the continents involved in the opening match: there was Latinity, ten attractions. There was the Colombian Shakira alongside the Nigerian Burna Boy. Together, they sang 'Dai dai', the official song of the tournament", says reporter André Gallindo. Mexico will host, in total, ten matches. One is gone. There are four more to go at the Azteca Stadium, four in Monterrey and four in Guadalajara. Despite being a small part of the total of 104 games, it is as if the Mexicans were saying to the world: "This edition may be in three countries, but the World Cup is ours." 📱Bookmark g1 on Google and follow the main news of the day Shakira and Burna Boy welcomed each other at the World Cup opening ceremony National Newspaper/ Reproduction Describing the feeling of Mexican players can be an exercise in imagination. But, looking at the images, we are even capable of taking risks. The third World Cup opening in an almost sacred place: Azteca. No stadium on the planet has hosted more World Cup matches. Mexico and South Africa entered the field for the 20th game. South Africans had the dimension of time and space. For the first time in the history of the World Cup, starters and reserves from both teams were profiled during the anthems. At Casa das Copas, a Brazilian lung started the biggest edition in history. The Brazilian referee didn't even notice that there were more people on one side. It was as if 80 thousand joined the 11 on the field. An advantage that pushed the team forward. As the ball passed, Sithole was pressured by Erik Lira. Mexico took the ball and Quiñones took advantage. The first goal of the 2026 World Cup came from the feet of those who were welcomed by this country. Quiñones was born in Colombia. This Thursday (11), he marked his name in Mexican history. Mexico's Quiñones scored the first goal of the 2026 World Cup National Newspaper/ Reproduction The opening of the World Cup also held two special moments: for a veteran and for a teenage prodigy from Mexico. The youngest player in this edition, Gilberto Mora, debuted at 17 years old. And Raúl Jiménez, at 35 years old and in the fourth World Cup of his career, scored his first goal in World Cups: 2-0 with emotion. Wilton Pereira Sampaio also sent off three players in the match. Mexico opened group A with victory - which also includes South Korea and the Czech Republic, who play on Thursday night (11) - with the blessing of the World Cup temple. GloboPop: click to see videos from the Jornal Nacional stage READ ALSO Home of Jornal Nacional at the World Cup is in the heart of Manhattan Island, in New York Discover Globo’s latest coverage of the 2026 World Cup Special series on the essence of Brazilian football highlights the talent of our players Carlo Ancelotti's path to the Brazilian national team is full of achievements; get to know