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Mexico will kick off the 2026 World Cup on Thursday against South Africa, earning it the distinction of becoming the first country to host a tournament opener on three occasions.
The country has a long – and not altogether successful – history when it comes to getting things under way on football’s biggest stage. Here, the Press Association takes a closer look.
1930
Mexico’s match against France in Montevideo on July 13, 1930 was one of two played simultaneously to open the inaugural tournament, alongside the United States v Belgium. Mexico became the first team to concede a World Cup goal, when Lucien Laurent opened the scoring for France, who went on to win 4-1.
1950
Mexico were the opponents for hosts Brazil in the first tournament after the Second World War, but slipped to a 4-0 defeat at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
1954
Four matches began concurrently on June 16 to open these finals in Switzerland, including another meeting between Mexico and Brazil. This time the outcome was even worse for the Mexicans, who were hammered 5-0 in Geneva.
1958
Mexico played in the opener against hosts Sweden on June 8 and again fell to defeat – 2-0. Following this match, their World Cup finals record stood at a miserable played nine, lost nine. They did secure their first-ever World Cup point in their second match in 1958, however, holding Wales to a 1-1 draw.
1962
Mexico’s match against Brazil was one of four matches to kick off at the same time in the finals in Chile. The outcome was yet another defeat – 2-0 this time – as Brazil went on to win the World Cup for the second time in succession.
1970
Mexico hosted for the first time, and opened the tournament with a goalless draw against the Soviet Union on May 31. For the first time they advanced beyond the group stage, but lost to eventual finalists Italy 4-1 in the quarter-finals.
1986
Mexico hosted this memorable finals, becoming the first country to do so for a second time after original hosts Colombia withdrew. The tradition now was for the holders rather than the hosts to kick things off, and so it was that Italy drew 1-1 with Bulgaria on May 31 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
2010
Mexico restored its connection to World Cup openers after a 24-year gap when they took on hosts South Africa in Johannesburg. The hosts took the lead but Rafael Marquez – the current national team assistant coach – equalised as the game finished 1-1.
2026
Mexico have been involved in seven matches which either alone, or jointly, have opened a World Cup, but have won none of those seven. Can they put that right against South Africa on Thursday?
Continue reading...
The country has a long – and not altogether successful – history when it comes to getting things under way on football’s biggest stage. Here, the Press Association takes a closer look.
1930
Mexico’s match against France in Montevideo on July 13, 1930 was one of two played simultaneously to open the inaugural tournament, alongside the United States v Belgium. Mexico became the first team to concede a World Cup goal, when Lucien Laurent opened the scoring for France, who went on to win 4-1.
1950
Mexico were the opponents for hosts Brazil in the first tournament after the Second World War, but slipped to a 4-0 defeat at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
1954
Four matches began concurrently on June 16 to open these finals in Switzerland, including another meeting between Mexico and Brazil. This time the outcome was even worse for the Mexicans, who were hammered 5-0 in Geneva.
1958
Mexico played in the opener against hosts Sweden on June 8 and again fell to defeat – 2-0. Following this match, their World Cup finals record stood at a miserable played nine, lost nine. They did secure their first-ever World Cup point in their second match in 1958, however, holding Wales to a 1-1 draw.
1962
Mexico’s match against Brazil was one of four matches to kick off at the same time in the finals in Chile. The outcome was yet another defeat – 2-0 this time – as Brazil went on to win the World Cup for the second time in succession.
1970
Mexico hosted for the first time, and opened the tournament with a goalless draw against the Soviet Union on May 31. For the first time they advanced beyond the group stage, but lost to eventual finalists Italy 4-1 in the quarter-finals.
1986
Mexico hosted this memorable finals, becoming the first country to do so for a second time after original hosts Colombia withdrew. The tradition now was for the holders rather than the hosts to kick things off, and so it was that Italy drew 1-1 with Bulgaria on May 31 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
2010
Mexico restored its connection to World Cup openers after a 24-year gap when they took on hosts South Africa in Johannesburg. The hosts took the lead but Rafael Marquez – the current national team assistant coach – equalised as the game finished 1-1.
2026
Mexico have been involved in seven matches which either alone, or jointly, have opened a World Cup, but have won none of those seven. Can they put that right against South Africa on Thursday?
Continue reading...
