The 2026 World Cup kicked off in Mexico on Thursday night, delivering a mix of thrilling action, unwanted records, and off-pitch incidents. Here are nine key moments you may have missed overnight.
FIFA Fan Festival Toronto Evacuated
The opening day of the FIFA Fan Festival in Toronto was cut short after just one hour due to severe weather warnings. Heavy rain had already fallen, but a thunderstorm warning prompted organizers to evacuate the venue for safety reasons.
South Korea Comeback Victory
Oh Hyeon-gyu scored the winner as South Korea rallied from a goal down to beat Czech Republic 2-1 at the Estadio Guadalajara. Hwang In-Beom equalized with a stunning strike after Ladislav Krejci's opener, before substitute Oh secured all three points.
Fan Zone Overcrowding in Houston
Supporters were turned away from a fan zone in Houston due to overcrowding concerns, with temperatures reaching 93 degrees Fahrenheit in the Texas city.
Mexico Opens with Win
After a star-studded opening ceremony featuring Shakira and Burna Boy, Mexico finally ended their opening-game misery by defeating South Africa 2-0. Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez scored to delight the home crowd.
Unwanted Red Card Record
The opening match made history for the wrong reasons, producing three red cards – the most ever in a World Cup opener. South Africa's Yaya Sithole was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity, Themba Zwane for a slap, and Mexico's Cesar Montes for a late foul.
VAR Drama in Opening Match
Zwane’s red card came after VAR intervention for an off-the-ball incident where he slapped Roberto Alvarado. Referee Sampaio reviewed the pitchside monitor and dismissed Zwane for violent conduct.
Violent Clashes Outside Azteca Stadium
Shortly before Mexico's win, violent clashes erupted outside the Azteca Stadium. Hooded protesters threw petrol bombs, rocks, bins, bananas, and plant pots at riot police. A female officer required emergency treatment for a severe head cut.
Official Response to Clashes
A spokesperson for the secretary of citizen security in Mexico stated: “Nearly 200 hooded individuals broke away from two groups of around 800 protesters, but the situation was brought under control by the Metropolitan police.”
England Fans Warned About Weather Delays
Reece James warned England supporters to expect weather delays after their match against Costa Rica was postponed by one hour due to a thunderstorm. He said: “Embracing it is part of that. As I said, it's the same for both teams. It's not just for us, we're preparing the best we can.”
