Mexico's Raul Jimenez, left, jumps for the ball with South Africa's Ime Okon during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) (Natacha Pisarenko/AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Mexico's Julian Quinones (16) celebrates with Israel Reyes after scoring their opening goal against South Africa during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) (Eduardo Verdugo/AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
South Africa's Iqraam Rayners, left, controls the ball against Mexico's Alvaro Fidalgo during the first half in the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) (Eduardo Verdugo/AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Mexico's Roberto Alvarado vies for the ball with South Africa's Aubrey Modiba, left, during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) (Natacha Pisarenko/AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Relatives of Mexico's disappeared march before the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Alejandro Cegarra) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) (Alejandro Cegarra/AP Photo/Alejandro Cegarra)
MEXICO CITY (AP) — The largest World Cup in tournament history kicked off Thursday with co-host Mexico taking on South Africa in the opening match.
Amid escalating protests and social tensions in Mexico’s capital, more than 80,000 fans made their way to Mexico City Stadium — better known as Azteca Stadium. It got a much-needed facelift ahead of the 48-team tournament that Mexico is co-hosting alongside the United States and Canada.
The iconic venue will be the first stadium to host three World Cup openers — after doing so at the 1970 and 1986 tournaments.
It is the eighth opening match of a World Cup for the Mexicans, who had previously lost five and drawn the last two, including against South Africa in the 2010 World Cup.
South Africa is playing in its first World Cup since hosting the 2010 tournament. Bafana Bafana also played in the 1998 and 2002 editions.
Mexico arrived with an eight-match unbeaten streak and has not lost since last November, when Paraguay beat them in a friendly.
The Mexican team is led by the 67-year-old coach Javier Aguirre, who is in his third stint with the national team.
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