Today's matches:

<p><strong>Mexico 2-0 South Africa</strong></p><p><strong>South Korea vs Czech Republic - 04:00 CET</strong></p>

Live updates:

<p><strong>23:44 CET - </strong>The match started with Julian Quinones taking advantage of a mistake from Yaya Sithole, and the two went on to become its two defining figures.</p><p>The Mexican followed up his goal by playing a big part in the second, and had the highest Flashscore Rating on the pitch with an 8.6, while the South African picked up the first red card of the night and ended up with a 3.8.</p><p>Here are the full player ratings:</p><p><strong>23:14 CET - </strong>All in all, that was an opener that was worth the wait, delivering a roaring atmosphere and plenty of drama in the form of two goals and three red cards.</p><p><strong>Check out the match report here.</strong></p><p><strong>23:09 CET - </strong>The hosts will be frustrated that their day ended with a very questionable red card, but they can be very pleased with that performance on the whole.</p><p>They controlled the contest throughout, allowing just three shots that amounted to a mere 0.08 xG. At the other end, they scored an excellent team move that got their star striker off the mark.</p><p><strong>23:06 CET - </strong>That's a wrap on the opening match of the 2026 World Cup! Mexico win it 2-0 to make the perfect start to their tournament.</p><p><strong>23:01 CET - </strong>Another red card! The third of the match has gone to Mexico, with captain Cesar Montes being given his marching orders for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.</p><p>Given the South Africa attacker was outside the box and heading very much wide of the goal, that's a very harsh decision.</p><p><strong>22:51 CET - </strong>This is becoming a disaster for South Africa, who have now gone down to nine men for Themba Zwane swinging a hand at the face of Alvarado.</p><p><strong>22:44 CET - </strong>Mora, the youngest player across the 26 World Cup squads, has come on to become the tournament's sixth-youngest player ever.</p><p><strong>22:34 CET - </strong>Raul Jimenez makes it 2-0!</p><p>Quinones takes a lay off from the 35-year-old in his stride and spreads the ball wide to Roberto Alvarado, who puts in a perfect cross for the striker to nod in!</p><p>A wonderful move on what is becoming a wonderful night for Mexico.</p><p><strong>22:17 CET - </strong>South Africa go down to 10 men! Sithole's day has gone from bad to worse, with him being sent off for bringing down Brian Gutierrez when the Mexican was through on goal.</p><p>World Cup debuts don't get much worse than this.</p><p><strong>22:13 CET - </strong>We're back underway in Mexico City.</p><p><strong>22:02 CET - </strong>Quinones was the standout of that half, and not just because of his goal.</p><p>The winger had four shots, won two out of three duels, made three passes into the final third and <strong>has a Flashscore Rating of 7.8</strong></p><p><strong>Read more about Flashscore's new player ratings system here.</strong></p><p><strong>21:55 CET - </strong>The whistle has blown on a first half that the host nation will be very happy with.</p><p>South Africa grew into the game, but Mexico dominated proceedings on the whole, seeing more of the ball and going close to doubling their lead a few times.</p><p><strong>21:47 CET - </strong>Raul Jimenez goes close to doubling Mexico's lead, flicking on a cross from deep but having his effort saved by Ronwen Williams.</p><p><strong>21:32 CET - </strong>25 minutes in, we have the first cooling break of the tournament.</p><p>South Africa have somewhat steadied the ship after a shaky start, but El Tri will be very happy with how this is going.</p><p><strong>21:16 CET - </strong>Mexico make the dream start! They've pushed for the opener from the off, and Julian Quinones has got it nine minutes in!</p><p>South Africa's Yaya Sithole takes a heavy touch just outside his own box and the hosts pounce on it, winning the ball for the winger to send a lovely finish past the goalkeeper!</p><p>The Azteca goes wild!</p><p><strong>21:07 CET - </strong>THE 2026 WORLD CUP IS UNDERWAY!</p><p><strong>20:47 CET - </strong>The final part of the opening ceremony is now taking place, the raising of the flags of the 48 nations competing at the 2026 World Cup.</p><p>Kick-off is almost here.</p><p><strong>20:36 CET - </strong>This South Africa side entered AFCON at the end of last year as one of the top sides in Africa having impressed in qualifying, but they've been on a poor run since losing in the round of 16 there, drawing three and losing one of their four matches in 2026.</p><p>That makes Bafana Bafana very much the underdogs tonight.</p><p><strong>20:22 CET - </strong>Veteran striker Raul Jimenez gets the nod ahead of AC Milan's Santiago Gimenez up top for Mexico, who have quite the age range on their bench; 40-year-old goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is looking to become the first player ever to play at six World Cups, while 17-year-old wonderkid Gilberto Mora will be his nation's youngest World Cup player ever if he comes on.</p><p><strong>20:06 CET - </strong>There's quite the atmosphere building at the Azteca, where 80,000 fans are singing along to the performers of the opening ceremony.</p><p>Fittingly, one of those performers is Shakira, who also did the official anthem for the 2010 World Cup, which started on this very day with this very clash 16 years ago. This time though, it's out with the vuvuzelas and in with the guitars.</p><p><strong>19:46 CET -</strong> The first set of team news for the FIFA World Cup 2026 has dropped, as we rapidly close in on Mexico's clash with South Africa at the Azteca Stadium.</p><p>Here's how both teams line up:</p><p><strong>18:53 CET -</strong> We're only a couple of hours away from kick-off at the Azteca Stadium, as Mexico and South Africa prepare to lock horns in a fascinating curtain-raiser!</p><p>While we wait for the team news to drop in Mexico City, here are <strong>five key factors that could decide the outcome of the match</strong>.</p><p><strong>17:18 CET -</strong> Co-hosts Mexico are considered by many as the favourites to win a wide-open Group A, and they'll be determined to lay down a marker when they take on Hugo Broos' South Africa in Mexico City later.</p><p>El Tri boast an impressive unbeaten record across their last seven tournament openers (W5, D2), including a 1-1 draw with Bafana Bafana at the 2010 World Cup.</p><p>As for Broos' men, they arrive in North America on the back of a five-game winless run; hardly ideal preparation as they look to advance to the World Cup knockouts for the very first time.</p><p><strong>Read our in-depth preview of Group A here!</strong></p><p><strong>15:50 CET - </strong>Hello and welcome to Flashscore's live coverage of the 2026 World Cup!</p><p>The greatest show on earth is finally here, and one of its three host nations will be kicking it off today, with <strong>Mexico taking on South Africa at 21:00 CET.</strong></p><p>The opening clash will be followed by one between fellow Group A nations <strong>South Korea and the Czech Republic, who will do battle at 04:00 CET</strong>.</p><p>We'll be providing live coverage of both matches, as well as all the build-up - bring it on!</p>