France 2002 shock and Argentina 1982 nerves, five memorable World Cup openers | OneFootball

Mexico v South Africa in Mexico City on Thursday at 21:00 French time opens the 2026 World Cup. According to L'Équipe, here are five memorable curtain-raisers.

Across 22 tournaments, five editions had no standalone opener, meaning there have been 17 true opening matches. Eight featured the holders, eight the hosts, and only once, in 1938, neither.

2002, France 0-1 Senegal. The reigning world and European champions saw Zinédine Zidane’s thigh injury in a friendly against Korea dominate the build-up. Despite 11 veterans from 1998, Papa Bouba Diop scored and the next day’s “Cocori-couac!” foreshadowed a group-stage exit.

1990, Argentina 0-1 Cameroon. At San Siro, many expected a romp against the champions and Diego Maradona. François Omam-Biyik headed in after Nery Pumpido’s handling error on 67 minutes, and nine-man Cameroon held on.

1938, Germany 1-1 Switzerland, then 2-4. The Parc des Princes staged a round of 16 on 4 June between the Reich side, composed of Austrians and Germans, and Switzerland. Hitler sought to glorify the Anschluss, but after 120 minutes it was 1-1, and five days later Germany collapsed 2-4 in the replay.

1982, Argentina 0-1 Belgium. Since holders began opening in 1974, none had started with a win. Despite Diego Maradona’s arrival, Argentina lost at Camp Nou to Erwin Vandenbergh.

2006, Germany 4-2 Costa Rica. Openers had produced nine goals across the previous 10. Klinsmann’s Germany delivered a goal-laden start, the coach having been the sole scorer in the 1994 opener against Bolivia.

Source: L'Équipe