On June 11, 2026, the historic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City hosted the thrilling opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where co-hosts Mexico defeated South Africa 2–0. The historic curtain-raiser sparked massive nationwide celebrations as fans rejoiced in the stadium and across the capital.

Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca became the first venue in history to host matches in three separate World Cup tournaments, kicking off the 2026 edition in front of a capacity home crowd.

Iconic Venue’s Triple Crown

Having previously hosted finals in 1970 and 1986, Estadio Azteca cemented its place in football lore on opening day.

Mexico swept through Group A with three wins, energized by passionate home support in Mexico City and Guadalajara.

Mexico defeated Ecuador in the Round of 32 before bowing out in an electric Round of 16 battle against England.

Opening Ceremony and Match Highlights

Star-studded show: The tournament kicked off with a vibrant opening ceremony featuring light displays, cultural celebrations, and performances by global music stars.

Historic milestone: Azteca became the first venue in history to stage a World Cup opening match three times, having previously hosted in 1970 and 1986.

On-pitch action: Julián Quiñones scored a brilliant first-half goal, and Raúl Jiménez secured the 2–0 victory with a second-half header in a match featuring multiple red cards.

Citywide Celebrations

Fan zones erupt: Thousands of supporters flooded major public spaces like Zócalo and Garibaldi squares in Mexico City, waving flags and chanting in unison.

National pride: The emotional victory set an enthusiastic tone for Mexico’s campaign as joint hosts alongside the United States and Canada.