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Mexico Hosts Third World Cup, Beats South Africa 2-0

6/13/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Mexico became the first nation to host three FIFA World Cups when the 2026 tournament opened in Mexico City, defeating South Africa 2-0 before a crowd of 80,824 at Estadio Azteca.
Coach Javier Aguirre praised the win but urged better finishing after three red cards—two to South Africa and one to defender César Montes—forced lineup changes.
Fans celebrated by throwing sombreros and drinks after the city resolved teachers’ union protests.

History

Historical Context

Mexico first hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1970, where the national team reached the quarter-finals, its best finish at that time. The successful staging demonstrated the country's capacity to hold large-scale tournaments, paving the way for its co-hosting of the 2026 edition. Today the World Cup finals feature 48 teams, underscoring the event’s growth since Mexico’s early involvement.

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Story summary

Mexico became the first nation to host three FIFA World Cups when the 2026 tournament opened in Mexico City, defeating South Africa 2-0 before a crowd of 80,824 at Estadio Azteca.
Coach Javier Aguirre praised the win but urged better finishing after three red cards—two to South Africa and one to defender César Montes—forced lineup changes.
Fans celebrated by throwing sombreros and drinks after the city resolved teachers’ union protests.

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