Overview
- The opening match at Estadio Azteca ended 2-0 to Mexico on Thursday and featured three red cards shown by referee Wilton Sampaio.
- South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole received a straight red for denying a clear goalscoring chance on Brian Gutiérrez and will miss the side’s next match against Czechia.
- Themba Zwane was sent off for violent conduct after a VAR-prompted pitchside review of his strike on Roberto Alvarado and will also sit out the Czechia game.
- Mexico defender César Montes was dismissed late for denying a goalscoring opportunity on Khuliso Mudau and will be unavailable for Mexico’s meeting with South Korea.
- Under 2026 World Cup rules a red card brings at least a one-match suspension and FIFA may extend bans for serious conduct; this was the first World Cup opener to see three red cards and only the seventh match overall with three or more dismissals.