World Cup Kicks Off: Mexico and USA Open with Statement Wins
The 2026 World Cup is up and running. Mexico beat South Africa in the opener, South Korea edged Czechia, and the USA hammered Paraguay 4–1 — here's how the wider tournament has begun.
While Canada were earning a historic point in Toronto, the rest of the expanded 48-team World Cup roared into life across North America. Here's a round-up of the headline results beyond Group B.
Mexico christen the tournament
Co-hosts Mexico got the World Cup under way with a 2–0 win over South Africa. Julián Quiñones scored the first goal of the tournament inside ten minutes, and Raúl Jiménez added a second after the break to settle a feisty opener in front of a passionate home crowd.
South Korea and the USA make their mark
South Korea overcame Czechia 2–1 in a lively Group A clash, while the United States produced the statement of the opening days, thrashing Paraguay 4–1. Folarin Balogun scored twice and Gio Reyna added a late strike as the American co-hosts delighted a partisan crowd.
Attention now turns to a packed Matchday 1 schedule featuring Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Australia and more — with Canada's Group B rivals Switzerland and Qatar also set to begin their campaigns.