Mexico beats South Africa to open record 48-team World Cup 2026

Mexico opened the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2‑0 win over South Africa at the Estadio Azteca, the tournament’s first edition featuring 48 national teams and three host nations – Mexico, the United States and Canada. The opening ceremony showcased performances by Shakira, Burna Boy and other Latin artists, while a record‑size fan zone and multiple opening shows were staged across the three host countries.

FIFA introduced a slate of new rules for the competition, including a red‑card offence for speaking with a covered mouth, stricter time limits on goal‑kicks and throw‑ins, and expanded VAR powers to correct second‑yellow cards and corner decisions. Hisense, a FIFA partner, launched a marketing campaign promoting its giant‑screen TVs and home‑entertainment devices for the event, offering a free Bluetooth speaker with qualifying purchases.

Fans noted high food‑and‑drink prices at stadiums, with bottles of water costing up to $5 and beers around $17. A logistical mishap saw the Czech team’s bus blocked on a Mexican road, forcing players to walk to training. The tournament’s format, prize‑money expectations and political commentary have also generated widespread discussion worldwide.