World Cup 2026 opening games spark criticism over red cards and debut expectations

South Africa coach Hugo Broos criticised the referee’s decision to send Thembi Zwane off after a VAR review in the opening match against Mexico, calling the red card too harsh. The team also lost Sphephelo Sithole to a red card earlier in the game, leaving both players unavailable for the next group match against the Czech Republic. South Africa fell 0‑2 to Mexico.

Former Polish international Tomasz Hajto described Curacao, the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup, as “complete amateurs” ahead of their debut group‑stage clash with Germany. Curacao, placed in Group E with Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast, is expected to suffer a heavy defeat in its first World Cup appearance.