An exciting start to the World Cup, with a bonkers win for Mexico and South Korea fight back.
Essential FootballSummary
The 2026 World Cup kicks off with a thrilling start as co-host Mexico secures a 2-0 victory over South Africa, marked by an unusual number of red cards. The match, held at the Azteca Stadium, featured an electrifying opening ceremony with performances by Shakira and Burna Boy, which delayed the kickoff. Mexico's Julián Quiñones scored the first goal just nine minutes in, followed by Raúl Jiménez's second goal in the second half. The game concluded with a total of three red cards, highlighting a controversial officiating performance.
In other matches, South Korea comes from behind to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1, showcasing a dynamic second half. Despite the excitement on the pitch, there are concerns about attendance, as many empty seats are noted in Guadalajara, contradicting FIFA's claims of record demand for the tournament.
Looking ahead, Canada prepares for their opening match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the United States gears up to face Paraguay. The U.S. team, led by Mauricio Pochettino, aims to advance past the group stage for the first time in over two decades. Meanwhile, England is set to move from their training camp in Florida to Kansas City, readying for their World Cup campaign.
As the tournament unfolds, anticipation builds for Scotland's return to the World Cup after nearly thirty years, with their match against Haiti on the horizon. The excitement and drama of the opening days signal a promising tournament ahead.
Show Notes
Plus, all you need to know as we head into day two, with Matt Kabir Floyd and your Friday morning 'Cheat Sheet’. Dave Reed rounds up the overnight results, we’re with the England and Scotland camps, and we head to Times Square to see if World Cup fever has taken hold.
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