Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 [1] during the inaugural match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 11 [2].

This event marks the beginning of a historic tournament as the first to be jointly hosted by three nations: Mexico, the U.S., and Canada [3]. Because of this unique structure, the tournament features three separate opening ceremonies, one in each host country [4].

The festivities began at the Stadio Azteca in Mexico City, where the opening ceremony served as a cultural launch for the competition [5]. Global music stars Shakira and Andrea Bocelli performed the official tournament anthem, "DNA," during the event [6]. The ceremony and the subsequent match were broadcast to international audiences via Rai 1 [7] and streamed on DAZN [8].

Following the musical performances, Mexico took the pitch for the first match of the competition. The host nation secured a victory with a final score of 2-0 [1] against South Africa. This result provides Mexico with an early advantage in the group stage as the tournament expands across North America.

Organizers designed the multi-city opening approach to highlight the shared hosting responsibilities of the three participating countries [4]. While the Mexico City event focused on the local atmosphere at the historic Azteca stadium, similar ceremonies are planned for the other two host nations [4].

The match was the primary focus for millions of viewers globally, signaling the official start of the competitive phase of the 2026 World Cup [5].

“Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 during the inaugural match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”

The decision to hold three separate opening ceremonies reflects the unprecedented scale of the 2026 tournament. By distributing the inaugural celebrations across Mexico, the U.S., and Canada, FIFA is acknowledging the logistical shift toward a regional hosting model rather than a single-city focal point. Mexico's opening victory at the historic Stadio Azteca reinforces the venue's legacy as a center for global football while setting a positive momentum for the host nations.