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Overview
- Mexico defeated South Africa 2–0 in the tournament opener at Estadio Azteca on Thursday, marking the official start of the 2026 World Cup.
- Dozens of demonstrators, including families of people who disappeared, clashed with police outside the Azteca with barriers removed, police vehicles damaged and officers using tear gas and mounted units to disperse crowds.
- The match produced high-profile officiating incidents with three red cards after VAR reviews and a widely shared on-air explanation from referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio.
- Broadcast images of empty seats in Guadalajara and reports of high ticket prices have renewed criticism of FIFA’s ticket distribution while Ivory Coast supporters largely abandoned plans to travel to U.S. venues because of visa difficulties.
- Brazil finished pre-match training for its opener with Neymar still sidelined by a grade-2 right calf injury that medical staff estimated will take two to three weeks to heal as the tournament moves to matches and ceremonies in the United States and Canada.