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orywireMexico beat South Africa 2-0 in the 2026 World Cup opener, with Julian Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scoring and three players sent off. Here are the final score, red cards and next Group A matches.
By Laura CollinsPublished 
Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, taking three points in Group A behind goals from Julian Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez. The game in Mexico City ended with South Africa down to nine men and Mexico down to 10 after three second-half red cards.
FIFA’s match report and Reuters both listed Quiñones and Jiménez as Mexico’s scorers in the tournament opener.
Quiñones scored the first goal in the ninth minute after Erik Lira won the ball near the South Africa box. Jiménez made it 2-0 in the 67th minute, heading in a Roberto Alvarado cross at the far post.
The result gave Mexico a winning start in Group A and a cleaner opening than the teams’ 2010 World Cup meeting, when South Africa and Mexico drew 1-1 in Johannesburg.
The game turned sharply early in the second half. South Africa midfielder Sphephelo Sithole was sent off after bringing down Brian Gutiérrez near the edge of the box.
Themba Zwane was shown a red card in the 84th minute after a video review for striking Roberto Alvarado, according to AP and Reuters. Mexico defender César Montes was dismissed in stoppage time for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.
AP reported that it was the first World Cup opener to feature three straight red cards. The three dismissals also affect the next round of Group A matches, with AP reporting that Sithole, Zwane and Montes will be suspended for at least one more game.
Mexico finished its first match with three points and a plus-two goal difference. South Africa left the opener without a point and with suspension concerns for its next game.
South Korea also opened with a win in Group A, beating Czechia 2-1 in Guadalajara. That left Mexico and South Korea level on three points after the first round of group matches, with Czechia and South Africa still looking for their first points.
Mexico’s next Group A match is against South Korea on Thursday, June 18, at Guadalajara Stadium. FOX lists kickoff at 9 p.m. ET.
South Africa next plays Czechia on Thursday, June 18, at Atlanta Stadium. The Atlanta World Cup host committee lists that match for 12 p.m. ET.
Mexico closes group play against Czechia on June 24 in Mexico City, while South Africa faces South Korea the same day in Monterrey, according to FOX’s Group A schedule.
The score is final, but disciplinary details can still matter for both teams. Additional FIFA action, if announced, could affect Mexico’s defense against South Korea or South Africa’s lineup against Czechia.
This article will be updated if FIFA or team officials announce further discipline, lineup changes tied to the red cards or schedule changes for the next Group A matches.
The United States plays Türkiye on Thursday, June 25, at 10 p.m. ET in its final World Cup Group D match. The USMNT has already won the group and is set for a Round of 32 match on July 1.
Belgium and Iran meet Sunday in a FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match at Los Angeles Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET, with English-language coverage listed on FS1 and streaming options through FOX One and FOX Sports.
Fans at Houston Stadium were told to shelter in place after the Netherlands-Sweden World Cup match because of lightning in the area. The match had already ended, while weather also disrupted FIFA Fan Festival Houston.
