Mexico Opens World Cup with Win as Hydration Breaks Spark Debate
Mexico started the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa, highlighted by Julián Quiñones’s early goal and Raúl Jiménez’s emotional first World Cup goal, in a match that also featured three red cards and renewed controversy over FIFA’s new mid-half hydration breaks amid ad-heavy stoppages; South Korea defeated the Czech Republic 2-1, while the US and Canada prepare for their openers under Mauricio Pochettino and with Alphonso Davies out for Canada. Friday brings USA vs Paraguay and the tournament’s next phase, as Trump will not attend the opening ceremony.
