2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off: Simon Jordan discusses US soccer growth
Talksport host Simon Jordan discusses the 2026 FIFA World Cup kickoff in Mexico and highlights its huge global and growing American influence. Jordan notes soccer’s rise to the third most popular sport in America, surpassing baseball and hockey. He is optimistic about the record-breaking tournament, which is expected to sell 6.5 million tickets despite previous World Cup challenges.
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The first of 104 World Cup matches was won by the country that hosted the start of the tournament.
Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in Mexico City after the Estadio Azteca hosted the World Cup opening ceremonies.
Mexico were the better team from the start, scoring in the ninth minute after already having two corners.
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Raul Jimenez celebrates with teammates after scoring Mexico’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match against South Africa at Mexico City Stadium on June 11, 2026. (Hector Vivas/FIFA via Getty Images)
A delivery from of South Africa goalkeeper escaped from a teammate and was picked out by Erik Lira. The ball was then picked up by Julián Quiñones, who took just one dribble towards the center of the box and ripped a right-footed shot into the net, setting the crowd off.
Hopes of a South African comeback were dealt a blow when Yaya Sithole was red-carded in the 50th minute for bringing down Mexico’s Brian Gutiérrez on what would have been a breakaway.
From then on, South Africa played with 10 men, making it an even bigger mountain to climb.
Mexico players applaud fans during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026. (Angel Delgado/Getty Images)
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The dagger came in the 67th minute when Raúl Jiménez headed in a perfect cross from Roberto Alvarado to make it a 2-0 game. Playing in his fourth World Cup, it was Jiménez’s first goal in the history of the tournament and he couldn’t help but let his emotions out.
South Africa were hit with another red card in the 84th minute and Mexico received one in the 92nd minute. South Africa’s Sithole and Themba Zwane and Mexico’s César Montes will each miss their next matches against the Czech Republic in Atlanta and Korea in Guadalajara respectively.
In World Cup history, Mexico have now won 15 of the 23 matches in which they have scored first, drawn five and lost three.
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Estadio Azteca, renamed the Mexico City Stadium for the tournament, hosted the tournament’s opening ceremonies, where all 48 competing countries were represented. FIFA President Gianni Infantino was in the building with the FIFA World Cup Trophy.
Mexico’s forward Julian Quinones celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the 2026 World Cup Group A match against South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026. (Rodrigo Oropeza/AFP via Getty Images)
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Mexico are coming off a disappointing trip to Qatar as it was the first time since 1978 that they participated in a World Cup and failed to reach the knockout stages. Apart from its exclusion in 1990 and failure to qualify in 1982, it had made it past the group stage in nine of the World Cups it played in.
