World Cup what to know: Mexico starts with big win; US, Canada prepare for openers

The 2026 World Cup is officially underway, and Mexico wasted no time electrifying the home crowd. El Tri secured a commanding 2-0 victory over South Africa on Thursday at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, setting the tone for a tournament that promises high-stakes action across North America.

A Historic Start for Mexico

The atmosphere was electric as Julián Quiñones netted the tournament's first goal in the ninth minute, driving a cross right through the legs of South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. The lead expanded midway through the second half when veteran Raúl Jiménez rose for a header that found the back of the net. For Jiménez, the moment was deeply emotional; the goal serves as a triumphant milestone in his career following a devastating skull fracture in 2020.

The opener was not without controversy. In a historic first, the match saw three red cards—the most ever in a World Cup opening game. South Africa's Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were ejected, as was Mexico's César Montes following a stoppage-time challenge. Both South African players will now face suspension for their upcoming match against the Czech Republic.

In Thursday’s secondary matchup in Guadalajara, South Korea secured a hard-fought 2-1 win against the Czech Republic, with all three goals coming in an explosive second half.

USA and Canada Prepare for Opening Kickoff

Attention now shifts to Friday as the United States and Canada prepare to launch their respective campaigns on home soil. Canadian fans are eager to see their squad secure its first-ever World Cup win. Despite being ranked outside the top 100 in 2017, Canada has surged to No. 30 in the FIFA rankings. The roster is bolstered by career scoring leader Jonathan David, who currently plays for Italian club Juventus.

The U.S. men’s national team enters the tournament ranked 17th by FIFA, aiming for a deep run under the guidance of coach Mauricio Pochettino, who took the helm in 2024. All eyes will be on forward Christian Pulisic, who sits fifth on the U.S. all-time scoring list with 33 international goals, trailing only legends like Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan.

Friday's Schedule

• Canada vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina: 2 p.m. Central, Toronto (FOX/Telemundo/Peacock)
• United States vs. Paraguay: 8 p.m. Central, Inglewood, California (FOX/Telemundo/Peacock)

Broadcasting and Ticket News

For fans looking to catch every moment of the 104-match tournament, Fox and FS1 are the exclusive English-language broadcasters in the U.S., with all matches streaming on the Fox One app. Spanish-language coverage is provided by Telemundo and Universo, with streaming available via Peacock and the Telemundo app.

Off the pitch, FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed rising ticket costs, noting that the organization released 130,000 tickets at a $60 price point to national federations following criticism over premium pricing for the final. For more updates, you can follow the AP World Cup coverage here.