The 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially underway, and Mexico made sure its hosting debut would not be forgotten quickly. El Tri defeated South Africa 2–0 on Thursday in the tournament's opening match at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, giving the co-host nation a perfect start in Group A — though the final score barely captures just how dramatic the night turned out to be.
In front of a sell-out home crowd, Mexico picked up its first three points of the tournament and matched the energy of the environment. The atmosphere inside the storied stadium — one of the most iconic venues in soccer history — had been building for years, and it delivered.
