VIDEO! World Cup 2026 Kicks Off With Drama, Red Cards, and a Korean Comeback

June 11, 2026 - The wait is over. After four years of buildup, the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially began on Thursday with two Group A matches that gave football fans exactly what they came for: chaos, controversy, and a comeback that had Guadalajara on its feet.

Match 1: Mexico 2–0 South Africa

Estadio Azteca, Mexico City

The biggest football tournament in history opened the only way it should - at the Azteca, in front of 80,000 screaming Mexican fans, with Shakira headlining the ceremony before a ball was even kicked.

When play finally began, Mexico came out with the urgency of a host nation that knows exactly what's at stake. El Tri controlled the match from the opening whistle, but the real story wasn't the goals - it was the red cards.

Three players were dismissed across the match, a record for a single World Cup fixture. South Africa finished the game with just nine men after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane both received their marching orders, while Mexico also had César Montes sent off - meaning all three will miss their respective next games.

Veteran striker Raúl Jiménez sealed the result for the hosts, putting the match beyond doubt and sending the Azteca into full celebration. Mexico sit top of Group A on goal difference heading into Matchday 2.

Match 2: South Korea 2–1 Czechia

Estadio Akron, Guadalajara

If the opener was a statement, the second match was a thriller. Seven hours after the first whistle in Mexico City, South Korea and Czechia played out a genuinely gripping contest in Guadalajara.

South Korea dominated possession and racked up 11 shot attempts in the first half alone but couldn't find a way past a stubborn Czechia goalkeeper Matěj Kovár, who kept the Koreans at bay. The match remained goalless at the break.

Czechia broke the deadlock in the 59th minute through a header from Ladislav Krejčí, and it looked like disciplined European defending would hold the day. But South Korea had other ideas.

Goals from Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu - including the winner in the 80th minute - completed a remarkable comeback and secured all three points for the Koreans. Hwang In-beom became just the third South Korean player in history to record both a goal and an assist in a single World Cup match.

Group A Standings After Matchday 1

Mexico - 3 pts (+2 GD)

South Korea - 3 pts (+1 GD)

Czechia - 0 pts (-1 GD)

South Africa - 0 pts (-2 GD)

What's Next

Both teams return to action on June 18 for their second group-stage matches - South Korea face Mexico, while Czechia take on South Africa. With red card suspensions already in play and South Africa needing a result, Matchday 2 promises to be just as dramatic.

Want to bet on how it all unfolds? Check the latest odds on Chipstars Sportsbook and get in on the action before kickoff.