Mexico’s forward #09 Raul Jimenez (unseen) celebrates with teammates scoring his team’s second goal during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026. Carl de Souza/AFP via Getty Images
Mexico shut out South Africa in its capital city on June 11 to open the 2026 World Cup with a 2–0 home victory, marred by a record number of fouls.
More than 80,000 fans who were packed into the famous Azteca stadium—officially known in this tournament as Mexico City Stadium—erupted in celebration after 97 minutes, three yellow cards, and three red cards, the most red cards ever in a World Cup opener.
