Mexico scores the first goal of the World Cup on home soil after an emotional national anthem
2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off: Simon Jordan discusses the rise of US soccer
Talksport presenter Simon Jordan discusses the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, highlighting its huge global and growing US influence. Jordan notes soccer's rise to the third most popular sport in America, surpassing baseball and hockey. He is hopeful of a record-breaking tournament, which is expected to sell 6.5 million tickets, despite the challenges of the previous World Cup.
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The World Cup continues, as the event will begin in Mexico, and the first goal seemed to be the end.
Before the crowds in Mexico City had gathered to sing the national anthem, Mexico scored the first goal of the tournament in just the ninth minute.
The field was tilted at the beginning, Mexico already had two corner kicks, and in another trip to South Africa's field, they got a goal.
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Julian Quinones celebrates with teammates after scoring Mexico's first goal in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match against South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium on June 11, 2026. (Carl Recine/Getty Images)
The South African goalkeeper's pass came from his teammate and was taken by Erik Lira. The ball was then picked up by Julian Quinones, who took just one dribble to the center of the field and fired a right-footed shot into the net, rousing the crowd.
Quinones ran to his bench and was caught by his teammates.
In its history of the World Cup, Mexico has won 14 of the 22 games having scored first, drawing the other five.
The Estadio Azteca, renamed the Mexico City Stadium for the tournament, hosted the tournament's opening ceremonies, where all 48 competing nations were represented. FIFA president Gianni Infantino was in the building with the FIFA World Cup Trophy.
Julian Quinones celebrates scoring Mexico's first goal in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match against South Africa at Mexico City Stadium on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City, Mexico. (Hector Vivas/FIFA)
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Grammy Award winner Alejandro Fernandez sang the national anthem, while Mexican players hugged each other and sang along. The crowd did the same, and even a member of the Mexican security guard was caught singing the song.
Understandably, several seemed to let the tears flow or hold them back as best they could.
Thursday's game in Mexico marks the first of 104 total games from now until the final at MetLife Stadium, or New York New Jersey Stadium, on July 19.
Mexico is coming off a disappointing trip to Qatar as it was the first time since 1978 that they participated in the World Cup and ended up not reaching the knockout stage. Despite its ban in 1990 and non-qualification in 1982, it had made it past the group stage in nine consecutive World Cups it played in.
Mexico's forward Julian Quinones celebrates scoring his team's first goal in 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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It has never reached the semi-finals, last reaching the quarter-finals in 1986.
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