FIFA World Cup: Mexico wins opening game for the first time

Mexico secured their first-ever opening match victory in a FIFA World Cup by defeating South Africa 2-0. The win marks a significant milestone for the co-hosts as they begin their 2026 tournament campaign.
Why it matters
It is a notable sports achievement for the Mexican national team, ending a long-standing historical trend of winless openers.
Mexico had never won their opening game of World Cup in seven attempts, registering five defeats and two draws during their previous appearances at the tournament.
The article is a standard sports report detailing match statistics and historical context.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in