Peter Davies, MND’s chief writer, was at Mexico City Stadium today for the opening ceremony and first match of the 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup. He and other reporters provided on-the-ground updates from Mexico City throughout the day.

Lives updates concluded at 4:35 p.m.

I’m signing off from Mexico City Stadium, where I’ve spent the last 10 hours. Thanks for following MND’s updates from the stadium. What a day for Mexico! —Peter Davies

Updated 4:29 p.m.

While many fans have left the stadium area, a large number are celebrating Mexico’s victory right next to the arena. Beer and food outlets are plentiful and an impromptu dance party has begun. Some fans are celebrating by being dowsed in beer and flung up into the air.

Updated 4:08 p.m.

A group of fans from South Africa were disappointed with the result but enjoyed the stadium experience and interacting with Mexican fans. They hope South Africa will bounce back in their next match against the Czech Republic in Atlanta next week. —Peter Davies

Updated 3:46 p.m.

Fans continue to stream out of the stadium here as light rain falls in the capital’s south. Most will be heading for public transport, especially the light rail, which connects to the CDMX system. Some delays getting onto transport are likely due to the huge number of people at the stadium today (more than 80,000), but from my current vantage point the departure process appears to be running smoothly. —Peter Davies

Updated 3:39 p.m.

In case you were wondering, this is how much beer cost at the Mexico City Stadium today. Those are large cans — the size of two regular beers. 300 pesos is about US $17… And yes, a lot of it was drunk! —Peter Davies

Updated 3:25 p.m.

The stadium emptied out quickly after the match, as fans rushed to beat traffic. —Peter Davies

Updated 3:11 p.m.

The final whistle has blown here at Mexico City Stadium. It’s a first-up win for El Tri, with a goal in each half sealing the deal 2-0. Mexico will go straight to the top of Group A with 3 points for the win. Mexico was the stronger side on the day, and is a deserved winner. South Africa wasn’t helped by being reduced to nine men due to two its players receiving red cards. Mexican defender César Montes also got a red card in injury time, but by that stage of the match the result was already settled. Quiñones, the Colombian-born, first-half goal-scorer, was named man of the match. —Peter Davies

Updated 2:56 p.m.

South Africa is now down to nine men after a second player, Themba Zwane, was given a red card in the 84th minute. Mexico is dominating possession even more than before now — not surprising given that it is 11 players vs. nine. —Peter Davies

Updated 2:35 p.m.

¡Goooooooool! El Tri is now leading 2-0 after Mexican striker Raúl Jiménez headed a cross into the back of the South African net. Once again, the stadium erupted. Mexico looks hard to beat now with just 20 minutes of regular time remaining.

Jiménez, a 35-year-old Hidalgo native, is a celebrated footballer, with a long club career and over 100 appearances for El Tri. —Peter Davies

GOL DE RAÚL JIMÉNEZ, PRIMER GOL EN MUNDIALES EN SU CARRERA!!!

MÉXICO 2-0 SUDÁFRICA pic.twitter.com/Nq6bM6xIRc https://t.co/lWvVpKUQ8C

— MT2 (@madrid_total2) June 11, 2026

Updated 2:30 p.m.

South Africa is down to 10 men after Yaya Sithole was given a red card for a foul on Mexican player Brian Gutiérrez. It will be hard for Bafana Bafana, as the South African team is known, to keep pace with El Tri with just 10 players, but for now, in the 63rd minute, the score remains 1-0 in Mexico’s favor. —Peter Davies

Updated 2:18 p.m.

Mexican fans I spoke to at half time were relatively happy with the first half, but rued the missed chances. They are confident that Mexico will prevail, predicting at least two more goals for the home side in the second half. One of the fans I spoke to is Isael Gutiérrez, manager of the Tijuana-based regional Mexican band Grupo Firme. Gutiérrez, who is at the match with his 15-year-old son, said that football in Mexico is a celebration that brings people together. He predicted a 3-0 victory for Mexico. —Peter Davies

Updated 1:58 p.m.

It’s half time here at Mexico City Stadium. Mexico will take a 1-0 lead into the second half after a Julián Quiñones’ goal in the ninth minute. On two occasions, El Tri very nearly added to the scoresheet in the final minutes of the first half, but couldn’t quite find the back of the net. One of the shots hit the right post. Mexico looked the better team in this first half. It had close to 60% of ball possession and had three shots on target to South Africa’s one.

The atmosphere has been electric and looks set to build in the second half as Mexican fans attempt to will their team to a second goal. Quiñones, the goal scorer, is a native of Colombia, but a nationalized Mexican. He made his debut for the national team in 2023. He plays his club football in Saudi Arabia. —Peter Davies

Updated 1:18 p.m.

¡Goooooooool! Mexico has opened its account at this World Cup! Julián Quiñones slotted the ball into the back of the net, sending tens of thousands of fans into raptures. The score stands at 1-0 Mexico after 10 minutes. —Peter Davies

¡Llega el primero! 🥹

Julián Quiñones rescata el balón y hace una diagonal al área para vencer a Williams y así hacer el primero gol de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026™️… YA LO GANA MÉXICO#ElCanalDelMundial #CopaMundialFIFA #Somos26 #MiSelecciónAzteca #ElMundialXAzteca… pic.twitter.com/Hht1SWIHq7

— TV Azteca Deportes (@AztecaDeportes) June 11, 2026

Outside the stadium’s main entrance, a group of student protesters is launching traffic cones and other barriers at a group of police in an attempt to breach the stadium. Facing dozens of police in riot gear, they have not made headway. —Caitlin Cooper

Updated 1:09 p.m.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway! Mexico had the kickoff and maintained possession very early in the match. The stadium is abuzz.

Mexico took possession and made first shot on goal: a hard, low strike toward the left post that was saved by the South African goalkeeper. —Peter Davies

Updated 12:59 p.m.

The Mexican and South African flags have been unveiled on the pitch. The teams are also walking onto the pitch ahead of the 1 p.m. start of this opening World Cup match. The excitement is building in the stadium, as fans rise to their feet for the national anthems. The South African anthem played first, followed by that of Mexico. Mexican fans were in good — and loud — voice. Play is now imminent.

Just before play, fans began throwing thousands of cardboard sombreros toward the pitch. None have made it far, landing instead among the thousands of spectators. —Peter Davies

Updated 12:49 p.m.

Mexico has announced its starting 11 for today’s match. Raúl Rangel is the starting goalkeeper, while the defensive players are Jesús Gallardo, Johan Vasquez, Cesar Montes and Israel Reyes. In the midfield, El Tri will start with Álvaro Fidalgo, Brian Gutiérrez and Erik Lira. Up front are Julián Quiñones, Raúl Jiménez and Roberto Alvarado.

The official lineup! 🚨

This is our first #StartingXI of the World Cup.

Ready to give it our all. LET’S GOOOOOO! 🫶#SomosMéxico 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/L9STtnNMxG

— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) June 11, 2026

South Africa has also announced its starting 11. In goal is Ronwen Williams, while the defenders are Aubrey Modiba, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Ime Okon and Khuliso Mudau. The starting midfielders for South Africa are Teboho Mokoena, Siphephelo Sithole and Jayden Adams. Up front are Lyle Foster and Iqraam Rayners. —Peter Davies

Bafana Bafana 🇿🇦 starting line up vs Mexico 🇲🇽 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Kick Off: 21:00 on SABC 1#BafanaBafana#BafanaPride#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/PMwBphLSfx

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) June 11, 2026

Updated 12:26 p.m.

The Mexican and South African teams are now warming up on the pitch. These two teams also met in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup, hosted by South Africa. That match ended in a 1-1 draw. Today’s match will be played in warm conditions in the Mexican capital. It is now 22 C, but high in the stands at least, it feels warmer. Many fans left their seats at the end of the opening ceremony for a bathroom break or purchase refreshments. Beer is a definite top seller. —Peter Davies

Updated 12:08 p.m.

The high-energy opening ceremony wrapped up around noon. Various groups of performers entered, and later, exited center stage: female dancers in folkloric Mexican dress, warrior-type figures, and many more. Performers including Shakira, Danny Ocean, Burna Boy, J Balvin, Los Ángeles Azules and Maná provided an upbeat soundtrack to the spectacle. Fireworks exploded intermittently, leaving smoke lingering above the pitch. A cry of “Viva México” likely elicited the largest cheer of the ceremony. A large FIFA sign suspended above the center of the pitch made it clear that this is a global event put on by football’s governing body. We’re now less than an hour away from kickoff! —Peter Davies

Updated 11:59 a.m.

At the Parque Las Américas Fan Fest, cheers erupt as Lila Downs begins her performance to officially kick off the opening ceremonies. As Mexican rock band Maná begins to play, the cheers grow even louder and the entire plaza sings along. —Tom Buckley

Updated 11:53 a.m.

Outside the stadium, 60 rows of police and security agents await behind a barricade on Tlalpan Avenue, near the Registro Federal light rail station. Past the barricade traffic is minimal and foot traffic flows smoothly. Pedestrians, scooters and bicyclists — some decked in team colors and jerseys — pass by, going to and from the stadium. —Caitlin Cooper

Updated 11:48 a.m.

The opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup is underway at Mexico City Stadium. At the start of the ceremony, hundreds of performers took to the pitch, which had been draped with a kind of large greenish/bluish flag. A large replica of the World Cup trophy is at the center of the pitch and surrounding it are dancers in pre-Hispanic style penachos (headresses), and scores of gold-clad performers. The circular visual they together created was reminiscent of the Aztec sun stone. —Peter Davies

Updated 11:18 a.m.

Mexican fans have just erupted as it was announced over the sound system that the Mexico team was arriving at the stadium. The team’s green bus appeared on the large screen, adding to the expectation. El Tri has been training at the Mexican Football Federation’s High Performance Center in southern Mexico City. President Sheinbaum presided over an official “sendoff ceremony” for the team at the facility on Monday, during which she presented the national flag to veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. —Peter Davies

🚨⚽ #ONMundialista | ¡El Tricolor ya va en camino al estadio!

La @miseleccionmx abandona las instalaciones del CAR para iniciar su traslado al #EstadioCDMX.#OnceNoticias 🔻 pic.twitter.com/yCCpiwgKvQ

— Once Noticias (@OnceNoticiasTV) June 11, 2026

Updated 11:16 a.m.

At the Parque Las Américas Fan Fest, one of 18 around the city, roughly 400 people gathered under a marquee on the basketball court in the Benito Juárez borough listening to live music as the opening ceremony draws near. Crowds continued to arrive steadily to the event, which was already standing-room only. —Tom Buckley

Updated 11:02 a.m.

While the main World Cup focus today is on the Mexico vs. South Africa match in Mexico City, there is another game tonight. South Korea will take on the Czech Republic at the Guadalajara Stadium at 8 p.m. The four teams playing today are all in Group A in the 48-nation tournament. Mexico’s second match will take place in Guadalajara next Thursday night. The first match in Mexico’s third World Cup host city, Monterrey, will be played between Sweden and Tunisia this Sunday night. —Peter Davies

Updated 10:53 a.m.

Outside of the station of Tlalpan y Tezozomoc the search collective protest march had to stop, briefly. The road is closed. But the demonstration continues, now grown in numbers and crossing the overpass to continue towards the stadium.

It’s has been over two hours since the search collective march set off from el Parque Cerro San Antonio, but energy and visibility has only grown. Walking against the stream of traffic, cries for the government to take responsibility in identifying the missing spouses, children, brothers, and sisters are amplified through megaphones and the sound of a metal pan rapped with a stick.

Students in balaclavas were seen dashing across the road near La Virgen station. A skull and crossbones cape flapped from the shoulders of one young man, who sprinted away after graffitiing the main street’s wall in rebuke of government inaction. —Millie Deere

Updated 10:50 a.m.

The Mexico City Stadium is filling up and is already very loud! Music is playing, fans are chanting and announcements are being made over the stadium loudspeakers at deafening volume. The pitch looks an absolute picture — in pristine condition. Flags of perhaps all, or at least most, of the world’s countries adorn the stadium roof. Right now, Zayu the jaguar — Mexico’s World Cup mascot — is making an appearance on the large screen, eliciting cheers. We are now around 40 minutes away from the start of the opening ceremony. —Peter Davies

Updated 9:52 a.m.

Mexico City Stadium, known colloquially as “The Colossus of Santa Úrsula,” previously hosted World Cup matches, including the finals, in 1970 and 1986. Apart from football (soccer) matches, the stadium has hosted boxing events, NFL matches and large concerts of artists such as Michael Jackson and U2. Pope John Paul II even appeared here at an event in 1999. —Peter Davies

Updated 9:43 a.m.

As a result of the protests, some metro stations have been closed, leaving stadium-goers to find their own routes. The closed stations include the Line 2 station Ermita; the stations of Pino Suárez, Hidalgo, Bellas Artes, Allende, Zócalo/Tenochtitlan, Chabacano, San Antonio Abad, Viaducto and Xola on Line 2; and Hidalgo and Universidad stations on Line 3.

Actualización sobre el cierre de estaciones en la Red, debido a manifestaciones al exterior.
Se suma al cierre temporal la estación Ermita de la Línea 2 del @MetroCDMX para el público usuario.
Asimismo, permanecen cerradas las estaciones Pino Suárez de la Línea 1; Hidalgo, Bellas…

— Adrián Rubalcava (@AdrianRubalcava) June 11, 2026

Updated 9:37 a.m.

While fans begin to fill the stadium, protestors march on nearby thoroughfares, seeking to bring attention to causes ranging from Mexico disappearance crisis to teacher salaries. After a brief stop under the overpass by Las Torres station on Calzada de Tlalpan to hold its ground, a rally in support of Mexico’s missing persons has begun to march again in the direction of Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca), where the opening match of the World Cup will be held this afternoon.

Various groups and independents, including Colectivo Mariposas Destellando, are marching to raise awareness of the over 130,000 still disappeared people in Mexico, and to exert pressure on the government to do more to identify their missing loved ones.

“Donde están? Donde estan? Nuestros jumps donde estan?” they shout.

The rally is fronted by a street-wide banner of near to 250 faces, mostly men, who have yet to be identified. The nuclei of the protest, donning green T-shirts with their children’s faces, are mothers, who take it in turns to call the name of their missing child, holding a microphone to each other’s mouths.—Millie Deere

Updated at 9:06 a.m.

It’s now 9 a.m. and there is quite a buzz in the Mexico City Stadium media center. There are journalists, photographers, TV reporters and camera operators from around the world. A reporter from Xinhua, the Chinese news agency, approached me to ask about my internet connection — neither of us were able to connect to any of the open Wi-Fi signals. Getting through initial security checks was easy and quick. We are now 2 1/2 hours away from the start of the opening ceremony. Among the star-studded line-up for the ceremony are Shakira, J Balvin (another Colombian singer) and Mexican band Maná. —Peter Davies

Updated at 8:52 a.m.

El Tri, Mexico’s national football team, comes into its World Cup opener in good form. Mexico won its final warm-up match against Serbia 5-1 in Toluca, México state, last Thursday night. El Tri also won a warm-up match against Australia in the Rose Bowl, in California, on May 30. The score in that match was 1-0. Mexican fans will be hoping that Mexico can notch up another victory today at Mexico City Stadium, a huge arena best known as Estadio Azteca (Azteca Stadium). Head coach Javier Aguirre is managing El Tri at the World Cup for a third time this year. Aguirre, a former World Cup player himself (Mexico ’86), managed Mexico at the World Cups in 2002 in South Korea and Japan, and in 2010 in South Africa. Mexico was knocked out at the round of 16 stage in both those tournaments. —Peter Davies

Updated at 8:32 a.m.

One notable absentee at today’s opening ceremony and inaugural match will be Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. She decided to give away the ticket she received last year from FIFA President Gianni Infantino. In the president’s place at the Mexico City Stadium today will be Yolett Cervantes Cuaquehua, a 21-year-old woman from the Gulf coast state of Veracruz. She won the president’s ticket in a soccer ball juggling competition run by the federal government. Cervantes received her ticket at Sheinbaum’s press conference on May 29. —Peter Davies

Updated at 8:14 a.m.

It’s only 8 a.m. but it’s already starting to get warm here. After a lot of recent rain, it’s a clear, sunny morning in Mexico City. The forecast is a high of 24 C, a temperature that could be reached while Mexico and South Africa are on the pitch. A reminder to our readers: Mexico City sits at an altitude of over 2,000 meters. That altitude could also affect players, although El Tri has plenty of experience playing in Mexico City. The South African team has been training in Pachuca, which is also situated more than 2,000 meters above sea level. —Peter Davies

Updated at 7:50 a.m.

It’s not yet 8 a.m. and the atmosphere is already building outside the stadium as Mexican fans arrived dressed for the occasion. There is also a lot of color — especially green, of course — and some fans have dressed in uniquely Mexican costumes: lucha libre masks, mariachi costumes, pre-Hispanic dress, and women in colorful folkloric skirts. —Peter Davies

Updated 7:28 a.m.

It wouldn’t be a World Cup match in Mexico without an OXXO in the stadium precinct! This one is doing a brisk trade at 7:30 a.m. —Peter Davies

Updated at 7:05 a.m.

I’ve arrived at Mexico City Stadium after a smooth, hassle-free trip on the metro and light rail. At 7 a.m. local time, a good number of fans have already reached the stadium. Security is tight, with a large presence of National Guard Officers and Mexico City police. —Peter Davies

Mexico News Daily