LIVE UPDATES: Mexico, South Africa face off in World Cup opener

MEXICO CITY - The largest World Cup in tournament history kicks off Thursday with co-host Mexico taking on South Africa in the opening match.

Amid escalating protests and social tensions in Mexico’s capital, more than 80,000 fans were making their way to Mexico City Stadium — better known as Azteca Stadium. It got a much-needed facelift ahead of the 48-team tournament that Mexico is hosting alongside the United States and Canada.

The iconic venue will be the first stadium to host three World Cup openers — after doing so in the 1970 and 1986 tournaments.

Mexico seeks strong start against South Africa

It is the eighth opening match of a World Cup for the Mexicans, who had previously lost five and drawn the last two, including against South Africa in the 2010 World Cup.

South Africa is playing in its first World Cup since hosting the 2010 tournament. The Bafana Bafana also played in the 1998 and 2002 editions.

Mexico arrives with an eight-match unbeaten streak and has not lost since last November, when Paraguay beat them in a friendly.

Aguirre leads Mexican squad

The Mexican side is led by the 67-year-old coach Javier Aguirre, who is in his third stint with the national team.

Live updates:

1:32 p.m.

Broos goes defensive following Sithole’s red card

Despite trailing 1-0 to Mexico, South Africa manager Hugo Broos decided to replace Burnley striker Lyle Foster, who just completed a season in the Premier League, with defensive midfielder Thalente Mbatha.

This change has left South Africa with just one attacking player on the pitch.

With the World Cup’s expanded field, eight teams that finish third in their groups will advance to the knockout stages. Goal difference is the first tiebreaker used to determine which third-place teams move on to the Round of 32.

1:31 p.m. 

South Africa down to 10 players

South Africa was already up against it facing Mexico, a stronger opponent that took a 1-0 lead 8 1/2 minutes in when Julián Quiñones scored on a shot between Ronwen Williams’ legs.

The red card to Sphephelo Sithole early in the second half makes it worse, with South Africa going the rest of the way playing 10 versus 11.

1:31 p.m.

Sithole is out for South Africa’s next match, too

Sphephelo Sithole was given a red card denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity as Brian Gutiérrez looked to be clean through on goal.

It was a Sithole giveaway that led to Mexico’s goal early in the first half.

Sithole is the primary defensive midfielder for Hugo Broos’ squad. He plays his club football in Liga Portugal for C.D. Tondela.

Sithole is nicknamed "Yaya" for his similar physical stature to Ivorian great Yaya Toure.

Because of the red card, Sithole won’t be allowed to play in South Africa’s next match against Czechia.

1:30 p.m.

South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole gets a red card

South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole was ejected from the World Cup opener after being assessed a red card for interfering with Brian Gutiérrez as he raced in on goal early in the second half.

Raúl Jiménez was unable to score on the resulting free kick for Mexico.

Gutiérrez is the first U.S.-born player to start a World Cup match for Mexico.

1:18 p.m.

Second half begins

The second half has begun with Mexico getting an early shot that sailed just over the crossbar.

1 p.m.

Subdued applause at halftime

Fans cheered off the Mexican players at halftime, but it was nothing like the thunderous applause they feted them before the match.

Despite leading for most of the first half, Mexican fans inside the stadium seemed irritated whenever South Africa was able to maintain possession, breaking out in whistles and jeers.

Fans began to grumble and throw their hands in the air in frustration as Mexico failed to extend its lead. Attempts to encourage the players by chanting "Mexico" were short-lived and mostly unsuccessful.

A brief moment of possibility ignited the Mexican fans when Jiménez and Quiñones came close to doubling the lead, but frustration sank in again after those chances didn’t find the back of the net.

1:03 p.m.

Mexican fans are happy but want to pad the lead

Even though Mexico took a halftime lead and dominated possession, they only created a couple of scoring chances after the goal.

During several spans of the first half, the team seemed to be satisfied with the score and fans grew anxious in the stands.

Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre, known for being a defensive-minded in his 15-years managing in the Spanish league, will probably remain with the same approach for the second half.

1:07 pm.

Mexico leads South Africa 1-0 at halftime

Mexico is up 1-0 on South Africa at halftime, thanks to the World Cup-opening goal by Julián Quiñones in the ninth minute.

Raúl Jiménez was stopped by Ronwen Williams twice and Quiñones hit the right post late in the first half, while Mbekezeli Mbokazi finally got South Africa’s first shot on goal in the 45th minute.

12:53 p.m.

Quiñones nearly doubles his total

With Mexico pressing late in the first half up 1-0, Raúl Jiménez was stopped by South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

Moments later, Julián Quiñones, who scored the first goal, clanked his shot off the right post.

12:48 p.m.

Mexico and South Africa get their first hydration break

With Mexico pressing late in the first half up 1-0, Raúl Jiménez was stopped by South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

Moments later, Julián Quiñones, who scored the first goal, clanked his shot off the right post.

12:22 p.m.

A scorer in fine form

Quiñones continues his impressive run of form after scoring 33 goals in the Saudi Pro League this season.

Born in Colombia, Quiñones played much of his career in Mexico before moving to Saudi Arabia, and was expected to be an important figure in attack for "El Tri."

12:19 p.m.

Julián Quiñones scores the first World Cup goal

Mexico got the start they wanted, with Julián Quiñones scoring the first goal of the World Cup after a turnover by South Africa 8 1/2 minutes in.

12:21 p.m.

Panini cards with a different purpose

Just outside the stadium, people have hung posters in the style of the World Cup panini cards. But rather than players, they feature the faces of Mexican politicians reading "narcopolitica identificado," Spanish for "linked to narco-politics."

Among them was Rubén Rocha Moya, governor of Sinaloa, a powerful member of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s party who was recently charged by the United States with narcotics importation conspiracy and possession of machine guns. He denies the accusations.

The posters were put up by the National Association of Transportation Companies, known as ANTAC, a prominent industry group known for its ability to mobilize and exert political pressure.

11.52 a.m. 

Full squads on the field for national anthems

Unlike at previous World Cups, the full squads of both teams will come out on the field for the national anthems.

Usually only the players in the starting lineup are on the field when the anthems are played.

FIFA has changed things around this time so that the substitutes can take part as well.

The players will be standing around the center circle facing each other during the anthems.

FIFA says it will "create a moment of unity, pride and emotion" for both the teams and the fans in the stadium.

11:51 a.m.

Party in the stands

The party is continuing inside Azteca Stadium.

Waving flags and wearing hats, costumes, and even body paint, thousands of people are dancing to every hit song that booms on the speakers.

The Mexican team is getting more cheers than the South African team, as expected with the home advantage.

11:48 a.m.

American-born Gutierrez gets the start for Mexico

Midfielder Brian Gutierrez will become the first Mexican American player to start in a World Cup for Mexico’s national team.

The 22-year-old, who was born in Berwyn, Illinois, played for the United States but did not have to apply for a country switch because he had only played friendlies for the U.S. against Venezuela and Costa Rica in January 2025.

Gutierrez and midfielder Obed Vargas are the two Mexican American players on Mexico´s World Cup roster.

The last time that Mexico selected two Mexican American players was at Brazil 2014, when Miguel Ponce and Isaac Brizuela were chosen, but neither saw playing time.

11:44 a.m.

Fans sway to the sounds of Danny Ocean

Danny Ocean has performed live "Partidazo," his collaboration on the "Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album."

Ocean was surrounded by dancers wearing a modern version of the traditional dress from the Mexican state of Jalisco modified to have hoodies on the top.

The Venezuelan singer, songwriter, and producer became known internationally for his hit "Me rehuso," which became an anthem of the Venezuelan diaspora.

Since then, he has released songs such as "Dembow," "Imagínate," "Mónaco" and "Fuera del mercado. He has also collaborated with artists such as Alejandro Sanz, Karol G, Sech, Camilo and Justin Quiles.

11.33 a.m.

Mexico City’s stadium is more than a mile high

One of Mexico’s biggest home-field advantages in its World Cup opener may be that it will be played at an exceptionally high altitude that South Africa’s players might struggle to adjust to.

The stadium — named Mexico City Stadium for the World Cup but known far and wide as Estadio Azteca or Azteca Stadium — is 7,200 feet (2,195 meters) above sea level, which is more than a mile high.

Mexico also faces the Czech Republic there on June 24. There is a round of 32 game set to take place there on June 30 and a round of 16 game there on July 5.

11:20 a.m.

Mexico manager opts for youth over experience in goal

One of the great mysteries for the Mexican national team ahead of the World Cup was whether coach Javier Aguirre was going to use veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa in the opener.

He went with Raul Rangel instead.

The 26-year-old Rangel has been the starter the past eight matches, but he will be playing his first official match for the team on Thursday.

The 2026 World Cup is the sixth for Ochoa, but he played in just three: those in Brazil, Russia and Qatar.

10:55 a.m. 

Police block off protesting families of Mexico’s 130,000 missing

Dozens of police officers have formed a blockade, as protesters hoping to shed light on the plight of Mexico’s 130,000 missing people arrived at the secured area outside of Azteca Stadium.

Some of the protesters are throwing flower petals at the police. One had attached a photo of her missing child to her green Mexico team jersey.

Family are hoping to use the World Cup to call attention to their situation.

In recent weeks, images of the disappeared have been seen at demonstrations and on street posters. They have also featured in a virtual World Cup album that, instead of highlighting soccer players, shows the smiling faces of missing men and women wearing the Mexican national team’s green jersey, along with their names and when and where they were last seen.

"The main goal is for the world to see that a crisis of impunity persists," said Jorge Verástegui, who has been searching for his brother for 17 years. "To show the other side of Mexico that it is not a party, but a tragedy."

10:43 a.m.

Ronaldinho is swarmed by fans upon entering Azteca

Brazilian legend Ronaldinho just entered the Estadio Azteca for the opening match of the World Cup.

Ronaldinho appeared in two World Cups for Brazil and scored a stunning free-kick against England en route to winning the tournament in 2002.

The Brazilian icon was shepherded into the stadium through the media entrance and was immediately swarmed by fans when they caught a glimpse of him.

Ronaldinho scored 33 goals for the national team during his career. He is now a FIFA ambassador for the 2026 tournament.