Three red cards shown in opening game of World Cup

Referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio shows red cards to South Africa's Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane as well as Mexico's Cesar Montes during the opening match of the 2026 World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium.

Sources: BBC Sport

Teams & Groups in this article

Mexico

South Africa

Get WC 2026 Updates

Match previews, results, and standings — delivered to your inbox.

Venue

World Cup issues still cannot take shine off greatest show on earth

And we are off. Three red cards including a VAR intervention. Two goals for co-hosts Mexico in the Estadio Azteca. One nightmare start for South Africa midfielder Yaya Sithole. And an emotional first World Cup goal for Raul Jimenez at the age of 35.

Sky Sports·about 2 months ago

Venue

Triumph at the Azteca offers respite from strife on Mexico City’s streets | Pablo Iglesias Maurer

One of football’s great arenas roared as El Tri eased past South Africa, offering fans a fleeting escape from the tensions gripping the capital The walk to Estadio Ciudad de México – most fans know it as the Azteca – on Thursday did a pretty good job

The Guardian·about 2 months ago

Venue

Quinones nets opening goal of 2026 World Cup

Mexico's Julian Quinones scores the opening goal of the 2026 World Cup against South Africa at Mexico City Stadium.

BBC Sport·about 2 months ago

Venue

Shakira among the performers at World Cup opening ceremony

Shakira was among the performers during the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium ahead of the opening game between Mexico and South Africa.

BBC Sport·about 2 months ago

Venue

Quinones stars as Mexico start in style

Mexico goals: Quinones (9), Jimenez (67) Julian Quinones got the first and helped set up the second as Mexico dominated and downed South Africa in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026™. Javier Aguirre’s side took less than five minutes to cre

FIFA Official·about 2 months ago