World Cup 2026

Mexico Shuts Down South Africa 2–0 to Win World Cup Opening Game

This game featured more red cards than any other World Cup opening match.
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Mexico Shuts Down South Africa 2–0 to Win World Cup Opening Game
Soccer fan Anna Villarreal watches Mexico and South Africa kick off the 2026 FIFA World Cub from a watch party on the National Mall in Washington on June 11, 2026. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times
T.J. Muscaro
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Mexico shut out South Africa in its capital city on June 11 to open the 2026 World Cup with a 2–0 home victory that was marred by a historic number of penalties.

More than 80,000 fans packed into the famous Azteca stadium—officially known in this tournament as Mexico City Stadium—erupted in celebration after 97 minutes, three yellow cards, and a first-ever instance of three red cards in a World Cup opener.

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T.J. Muscaro
T.J. Muscaro
Author
T.J. Muscaro is an award-winning reporter and NASA Correspondent for The Epoch Times, covering the Artemis program, Space Force, and other public and private ambitions within the growing space industry. Based in Tampa, Florida, he also covers stories of extreme weather and disaster relief, as well as various matters of national and international politics.