Mexico dispatch South Africa in WC opener; Korea Republic-Czechia to come | OneFootball

FULL TIME

STILL TO COME

Thanks to The Athletic, here's a great read on Son as you wait for tonight's kick-off.

Kick off at 22:00 EST/04:00 CET

Some news of note if you're in the Canadian supporter's camp...

This is what Sonny had to say in the build-up to Korea Republic vs Czechia later tonight...

El Tri's incredible start to the World Cup continues

FULL TIME - MEXICO 2-0 SOUTH AFRICA

The World Cup is officially up and running with one of the most eventful opening games you will ever see. That second half was sheer insanity for sendings off. But it's Mexico who start off with the win.

RED CARD!

It's now THREE red cards in the World Cup opener - but this time for Mexico! César Montes is the latest to walk for a last-man challenge on Khuliso Mudau at the end of normal time.

Another reason why this is a genuine history-making encounter in Mexico City

RED CARD!

South Africa are now down to NINE men after a VAR intervention as their elder statesman Themba Zwane is dismissed for hitting out at Roberto Alvarado. It's a very long way back for Hugo Broos' men now.

A change for the hosts and one that will really make some of you feel old

GOAL! MEXICO 2-0 SOUTH AFRICA

The hosts now have a two goal cushion courtesy of a brilliant finish from Jiménez! Wolves' returning hero is on hand at the far post to produce a superb header

South Africa have rung the changes since Sithole's sending off for a more defensive approach. They definitely need it based on the direction of travel even before the red card

It's been a game to forget for the Tondela midfielder

RED CARD!

South Africa are down to 10 men and it's Sithole again who's at fault as he brings Gutiérrez down on the edge of the area

CHANCE!

Quiñones is on the hunt for his second goal of this match with a lobbed long-range effort but it's not troubling Williams

SECOND HALF

Off we go again

The stats really don't lie

HALF TIME - MEXICO 1-0 SOUTH AFRICA

We've hit the interval in Mexico City and as first halves go, that one was a decent start to this World Cup. The hosts played some nice football and are unfortunate not to be further ahead.

CHANCE!

It should be a second right on the stroke of the interval for Mexico but Brian Gutiérrez fluffs his lines and sends the ball rolling wide.

There will be another four minutes of added time before the break

CHANCE!

El Tri aren't letting up as Quiñones is the latest to lay siege to Bafana Bafana's goal with a shot which comes back off the outside of Williams' lefthand post

CHANCE!

Jiménez gets his right boot to a left-sided cross into the box but Williams is equal to it with an almost slow-motion stop.

The game's slowed quite a bit since the in-game hiatus but the hosts have every right to feel comfortable with South Africa yet to have a shot on goal.

We've hit the midway point of the half which means the game's first hydration break

What a picture this is, by the way!

📸 RODRIGO OROPEZA - AFP or licensors

CHANCE!

Quiñones is brimming with confidence and tries his hand with another effort, this time from distance, but it's narrowly off target.

A moment for history

GOAL! MEXICO 1-0 SOUTH AFRICA

Just as it was in 2010, the hosts nation break the deadlock with Julián Quiñones pouncing on a defensive error by Yaya Sithole and firing clinically past Williams.

CHANCE!

Raúl Jiménez has the first opening of the game with a left-footed shot from the edge of the area that forces Ronwen Williams into a superb save.

The head of world football has given his take on who will win this year's tournament

KICK OFF

We are officially underway in the 2026 World Cup!

An absolutely rousing rendition of the Mexican national anthem before kick-off. There really couldn't have been a better place to host the opening game of this World Cup

Both sets of teams are walking out onto the pitch now - to the Chicago Bulls' entry music, believe it or not.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is currently putting the World Cup trophy on a plinth in the directors' box. Cue the fireworks. Literally.

We've got another musical performance now. There's going to be a lot of these over the next few days

The flags of all 48 nations competing in this year's tournament are being brought into the stadium one by one. It's not quite as longwinded as the Olympics make it look

There's just over half an hour to go to kick off but the football world doesn't stop. Real Madrid have just confirmed José Mourinho's return. The Portuguese's returns to the Bernabéu has been the worst-kept secret and is now official as he signs a three-year contract.

Nothing confirmed yet but this would be a major injury for Japan ...

And the South Africa side is here.

And here's the Mexico XI confirmed ...

By the way, the opening ceremony has started but we know you're not here for that so there's no way I'm live-blogging Shakira for the next hour.

In the meantime here's a great video from one of the South Africa staff from pitchside ...

There's no neat team news graphics available yet but the FIFA website has assured us those are the teams below.

And those line-ups have been confirmed on the official FIFA website. It means that new Wolves signing Raul Jimenez leads the line for Mexico whilst Lyle Foster spearheads the South Africa attack.

Although we haven't seen anything officially from FIFA yet, we believe these are the teams for tonight's match ...

Mexico: Rangel - Reyes, César Montes (capt), Vásquez, Gallardo - Erik Lira, Álvaro Fidalgo, Brian Gutiérrez - Alvarado, Raúl Jiménez, Quiñones

South Africa: Williams (capt) - Mudau, Sibisi, Okon, Mbokazi, Modiba - Mokoena, Shitole, Adams - Rayners, Foster

With this being the largest World Cup in history, third-placed teams will be getting into the round of 32. But how exactly does that work I hear you ask? Our friends at the Independent lead us through the possibilities here.

If all goes to plan we should be getting the team news ahead of tonight's game in around 30 minutes. Stay tuned for that!

Now this is World Cup heritage ...

And here's pitchside ahead of tonight's match ...

Have a sneak peek inside the Azteca thanks to the BBC's John Murray ...

If you need anything else to get you in the mood. If you're in Mexico City right now, I'm insanely jealous ...

Tonight's match is going to be taking place at the Azteca which, for my money, is the most iconic stadium in world football. She looks stunning ahead of kick off ...

Need a comprehensive guide to tonight's match? Our friends at the Football Faithful can give you the lowdown on everything ahead of the match. Read more here.

This is about to be the biggest, longest and most intense World Cup ever. But what are your predictions for the next six weeks? Who will win? Who are the dark horses? And how are you going to stay awake during those late night matches? Let us know in the comments!

The wait is over. Four years after Argentina's triumph in Qatar, the World Cup has returned, this time to Mexico.

The opening game of the 2026 edition will kick off this evening with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa.

It's a repeat of the 2010 match that saw both sides play out an entertaining 1-1 draw and, frankly, we can't wait for this one.