Overview
- Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 at Estadio Azteca with Julián Quiñones opening the tournament and Raúl Jiménez adding a second goal that prompted an emotional celebration.
- Brazilian referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio issued three straight straight red cards in the opener, including a VAR-reviewed dismissal for South Africa’s Themba Zwane, marking the most ejections in a World Cup opening match.
- South Korea staged a late comeback to beat Czechia 2-1 in Guadalajara, with Hwang In‑Beom setting up the winner and his side joining Mexico on three points in Group A.
- Colombian maker Saeta altered Haiti’s kit after FIFA ruled certain battle imagery could be read as political, and visa problems and high ticket prices have already forced teams and officials to change plans.
- Security clashes, fan‑festival evacuations and visible empty seats have raised practical concerns about crowd control and attendance at the expanded 48‑team tournament and could affect travel and viewing for fans in the coming weeks.