Mexico Beat South Africa 2-0 to Open the 2026 World Cup at Estadio Azteca

Mexico opened the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. As of June 11, 2026, El Tri are top of Group A after a match that featured two clean goals and three red cards . This is what happened, what it means for the group, and where Mexico's 26-man squad stands heading into matchday two.

The first goal of the expanded World Cup

Julián Quiñones scored the opening goal of the entire tournament in the 9th minute (as of June 11, 2026). He recovered a South African turnover just outside the box and slipped his shot between the goalkeeper's legs . Nine minutes into a 48-team World Cup, and a Mexican forward had the first goal.

Quiñones came into the tournament with 319 NT minutes across 8 appearances in the last 12 months. At club level with Al-Qadisiyah, he has been prolific — 33 goals in 31 appearances over the same window. That finishing instinct showed up exactly when Mexico needed it (as of June 11, 2026).

Jiménez breaks the drought

Raúl Jiménez scored the second in the 67th minute. It was his first-ever World Cup goal after four previous tournament appearances without one . The Fulham striker has 3 NT goals in 9 appearances this cycle, plus 10 goals and 3 assists in 43 club matches for Fulham over the past 12 months. The drought is over (as of June 11, 2026).

Three red cards turned the second half upside down

The match went sideways after halftime (as of June 11, 2026). Three red cards in total — two for South Africa, one for Mexico .

All three players will miss their respective next group-stage matches. For Mexico, that means Montes — a starting centre-back with 796 NT minutes and 3 goals in 9 appearances this cycle — will be unavailable against South Korea on June 18 (as of June 11, 2026).

How Mexico lined up

Javier Aguirre went with a 4-1-4-1 formation :

Substitute Gilberto Mora came on in the second half and is Mexico's youngest player at the 2026 World Cup . Mora has 338 NT minutes across 5 appearances this cycle and 10 club goals for Club Tijuana (as of June 11, 2026).

A rematch 16 years in the making

This was a rematch of the 2010 World Cup curtain-raiser between the same two nations. Back then South Africa hosted and Mexico visited. Now the roles are reversed . Same fixture, different continent, same result — Mexico win.

What this means for Group A

Mexico sit in first place. According to analysis, another point from their remaining two group matches would likely be enough to advance to the knockout round .

The Group A schedule:

Montes will miss the South Korea match. Aguirre will need to decide between Johan Vásquez (653 NT minutes, 8 appearances), Israel Reyes (502 NT minutes, 10 appearances), and Jorge Sánchez (487 NT minutes, 8 appearances) for the centre-back pairing (as of June 11, 2026).

The full 26-man squad

Mexico's 26-player roster, announced May 31, 2026:

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

All NT stats cover the last 12 months.

Mexico's form coming in

Before today's opener, Mexico's recent record stood at 11 wins, 7 draws, 2 losses across their last 20 matches, scoring 29 and conceding 14. That run included a 5-1 win over Serbia, a 1-0 over Australia, a 2-0 over Ghana, and draws against Portugal and Belgium. The only losses came to Paraguay in November 2025. Aguirre built momentum methodically (as of June 11, 2026).

When does Mexico play next in Group A?

Mexico face South Korea on June 18 at Estadio Akron in Zapopan . César Montes will be suspended after his stoppage-time red card. South Korea opened against Czech Republic on the same day as Mexico's opener.

Who scored for Mexico against South Africa?

Julián Quiñones opened the scoring in the 9th minute — the first goal of the entire 2026 World Cup — and Raúl Jiménez added the second in the 67th minute, his first-ever World Cup goal .

How did the red cards affect the match?

Sphephelo Sithole's red card in the 49th minute left South Africa with 10 men for most of the second half. Themba Zwane's dismissal in the 84th reduced them to nine. Mexico's Montes was sent off in the 90'+2 minute . All three miss their next group match (as of June 11, 2026).

What is Mexico's World Cup 2026 squad size?

Mexico's official roster contains 26 players, announced on May 31, 2026. The squad spans three goalkeepers, six defenders, twelve midfielders, and five forwards.

Why does Montes's suspension matter for the South Korea match?

Montes has 796 NT minutes this cycle — the most of any outfield player on the roster. He started in the centre of Aguirre's back four against South Africa. His absence forces a defensive reshuffle for a match Mexico likely need to draw or win to guarantee advancement from Group A.

See the projected squad
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