Here's the latest
• World Cup underway: The 2026 World Cup has kicked off in Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca. Mexico scored the tournament’s opening goal to take a 1-0 lead within the first 10 minutes of the match.
• Opening ceremony: Today’s colorful opening ceremony featured Shakira, Andrea Bocelli and J Balvin. It was the first of three, highlighting some of the most popular and exciting artists from around the globe.
• Sign up for The Beautiful Game by CNN Sports, our daily World Cup newsletter.
• Cobertura en directo en español: sigue toda nuestra cobertura del Mundial en CNN en Español.
The fastest opening goal at a World Cup in 20 years
The opening goal from Julián Quiñones is the earliest first goal of a World Cup since 2006.
In that match – the first time that the tournament hosts opened the tournament rather than the defending champions – Philipp Lahm netted for Germany vs. Costa Rica after six minutes.
That match ended 4-2 to the hosts, who would go on to make the semifinals.
Goal! Mexico makes it 1-0
Mexico has started this game very well and now has a goal to celebrate in the ninth minute.
Sadly, it was all about a mistake from South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole who got caught on the ball as his team tried to play out from a goal kick.
Julián Quiñones made him pay with a fine finish.
Score: Mexico 1 - 0 South Africa
Mexico's Raúl Jiménez comes close to scoring opening goal
Mexico will need to rely on star striker Raúl Jiménez in this year’s World Cup and the 35-year-old almost delivered.
He timed his run to perfection to meet a cross and fire a shot toward goal. He made a great connection, but South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was equal to it.
The stadium almost erupted then.
Our first national anthems of this year's World Cup
Nothing says “World Cup” like hearing the national anthems for the first time.
South Africa went first before the thousands of Mexican fans belted out their national song with nothing but pure pride. A new feature of this year’s tournament is that the whole squad lines up for the anthems, not just the starting 11 players.
You feel South Africa is going to have to find a way to silence this home support if it’s got any chance of spoiling the party at the Azteca.
And the 2026 World Cup has kicked off!
It’s been over three and a half years since World Cup action took place in Qatar and it’s felt even longer for fans of the Beautiful Game, but here we are.
The anthems have been sung. Both Mexico and South Africa take to the pitch. The crowd is fervent as the referee whistles for play to begin and… we’re off!
Let’s gooo!
Meet Hector "Caramelo" Chávez, Mexico's World Cup super fan
According to El Tri super fan Hector “Caramelo” Chávez, “every World Cup brings hope. Every World Cup is a dream.”
Chávez has followed the Mexican national team to 531 matches across 53 countries, dreaming of the team reaching the World Cup final.
Watch Chávez speak to CNN’s Valeria León about what his fandom means to him:
The second half of the opening ceremony has apparently begun
So after being told there was a second half of the opening ceremony coming, seeing nothing for 10 minutes and thinking we were bamboozled, there is indeed a second part to the proceedings.
A series of people carried out the flags of the 48 participating countries and we are now being treated to the song, “DNA,” sung by Andrea Bocelli and South Korean singer EJAE. It’s quite lovely, to be honest.
No credible threat to World Cup but law enforcement across the US is on high alert, bulletins say
Securing “the largest sporting event ever held in the United States” against a wide array of possible threats will involve thousands of law enforcement officers protecting nearly 80 World Cup games hosted in 11 cities across the country, according to a series of law enforcement threat bulletins obtained by CNN.
While authorities “have not identified any specific and credible threats to WC26 stadium venues or official FIFA Fan Festivals 2026,” reads one joint FBI-Department of Homeland Security threat assessment, the highly publicized and attended games taking place over weeks will present attractive targets to extremists, criminals, and nation-states when the US portion of events begin Friday in Los Angeles.
“We remain concerned about the potential for an increase in terrorist activity, reportable targeted violence, mass casualty incidents, transnational crime, unauthorized unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) activity, cyber attacks, and foreign intelligence operations,” the threat assessment states. “These concerns stem from the emergence of several converging trends: intensified rhetoric from foreign terrorist organizations targeting large-scale events, heightened violence at mass protests within the Homeland, and escalating geopolitical tensions.”
In addition to the potential for targeted violence, the bulletins sent by federal intelligence analysts to local law enforcement across the country note the potential for a surge in other types of crime authorities will be on guard to disrupt and investigate, including: property theft, human trafficking, fraud schemes, counterfeit goods, and cyber attacks.
One unique aspect of the games: attendance by Iran’s national team amid ongoing global hostilities in the Middle East.
“Upset fans in the (Iranian) diaspora could cause clashes at the Fan Festival and other events taking place in the Los Angeles area of responsibility,” according to the joint FBI-DHS threat assessment. “If Iran does play, the threat of transnational repression on local members of the Iranian diaspora will be cause for concern.”
What to expect from Mexico in this World Cup
Mexico is hosting soccer’s sporting spectacular for a record third time after previously doing so solo in 1970 and 1986. On both occasions, El Tri advanced to the quarterfinals, but that’s the furthest the Mexican men’s national team has ever reached.
Is this the year that changes?
One thing we can be sure of is that El Tri will need no added motivation this time around, given the huge, fervent support the team is assured of getting. But, of course, with that – remember – comes huge pressure amid a heavy burden of expectations.
Four years ago in Qatar, Mexico failed to get out of the group stages, the first time that had happened since Argentina hosted in 1978.
Under the astute leadership of head coach Javier Aguirre – combined with a refreshing mix of youth and the highly experienced goal machine that is Raúl Jiménez leading the line up front – I expect the co-hosts to make an emphatic and impressive start today ahead of their forthcoming group matches against South Korea and the Czech Republic.
Coach Hugo Broos hopes to lead South Africa past the group stage for the first time
Despite qualifying for the tournament three times prior, South Africa has never advanced past the group stage. Coach Hugo Broos is looking to change that at this year’s tournament.
After the joy of becoming the first African nation to host the World Cup in 2010, Bafana Bafana became the first hosts to not make the knockout stage. To add salt to the wound, South Africa subsequently failed to qualify for the tournament for three straight editions. According to South African journalist and commentator Mark Gleeson, the tournament absences were due to “a succession of poor coaches” as well as administrative troubles and a slump in talent on the pitch.
Broos’ hiring in May 2021 has proven to be a big change for South Africa. Under his leadership, Bafana Bafana finished third at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Largely credited for ushering in a cultural shift for the team, Broos has focused on giving young players opportunities, paving the way for a motivated roster to qualify for the tournament.
South African midfielder Teboho Mokoena told CNN Sports that Broos “brought stability in the national team, brought unity, brought brotherhood.”
This year, Broos is eyeing to take Bafana Bafana one step further, which might not be too out of reach with the tournament’s expanded format.
Barred World Cup referee Artan to officiate UEFA Super Cup
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will officiate the traditional curtain-raiser to the European soccer season, the UEFA Super Cup, after having had his World Cup dreams dashed.
The 34-year-old was denied entry into the United States because of “derogatory information, including association with suspected members of terror organizations,” a Trump administration official told CNN. The official did not provide further details on the alleged association with terror organizations.
Somalia is one of the 39 nations affected by the Trump administration’s travel ban.
Artan, who was named Africa’s top male referee in 2025 and was chosen by the Confederation of African Football to take part in this year’s World Cup, would have been the first Somali to referee at the tournament.
Artan will now get his chance on the big stage having been selected by European soccer governing body UEFA for the showcase game.
The game between Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League champion Aston Villa will be played in Salzburg, Austria, on August 12.
Who is Javier Aguirre, Mexico’s World Cup manager?
This year Mexico will again be led by Javier Aguirre, who enters his third World Cup as head coach of El Tri. Aguirre previously managed the Mexican national team in the 2002 and 2010 tournaments, leading the team to Round of 16 exits both times. He also served as an assistant in the 1994 World Cup.
Aguirre returned to the team in July 2024, following previous head coach Jaime Lozano’s firing after leading Mexico to a disappointing group stage exit in the 2024 Copa América. Aguirre spent his time away from El Tri coaching club teams in Spain and Abu Dhabi, as well as Japan’s and Egypt’s national teams.
Nicknamed “El Vasco” as a reference to his Basque heritage, Aguirre is a Mexican veteran of the sport. He played for the national team in the 1986 World Cup, where Mexico reached the quarterfinals. This year will mark Aguirre’s fifth time participating in a World Cup.
Known as a problem-solving tactician, Aguirre is expected to provide the team with intensity while keeping cool under pressure. Experts say his experience with a variety of teams and cultures could stand as his greatest strengths heading into the 2026 tournament.
In March 2025, Aguirre emphasized he has sights set on Mexico having their “best-ever World Cup.”
Here's how the teams will lineup for the World Cup opener
Both teams have announced their starting lineups for this curtain raiser.
Today’s host is led by Raúl Jiménez in attack. The Premier League star has proved he’s got the ability to trouble the best defenses in the world, so his nation will be relying on him for its attacking threat.
Looking to upset the party in Mexico City is South Africa. Bafana Bafana’s form hasn’t been great of late, but they will look to their impressive qualifying campaign for confidence.
Look out for Teboho Mokoena in midfield – the 29-year-old is the beating heart of this side.
The festivities have wrapped after a pump fake of sorts
Well, keeping in the spirit of the Beautiful Game, it appears the opening ceremony has a halftime break.
We’ve been assured there’s a second half to these proceedings, but it is quite funny that they’ve decided to echo soccer’s game structure – on purpose or not.
Actually, that was that as the passage of 10 minutes has proven!
Two FIFA-themed Labubus introduce J Balvin to the stage
Yes, you read that right. A couple of life-sized Labubus dressed head-to-toe in FIFA gear mess around a bit, then pull out a World Cup plushie before introducing Latin music superstar J Balvin.
The Colombian artist is wearing a flashy combo of a red shirt with green trousers, a gold tie and golden shoes.
And now we’re onto the next artists, who are none other than Shakira and Burna Boy.
How the FBI trained local law enforcement to secure the games
The stage is set. The fans are ready. Kick-off begins this afternoon.
Now comes the hard part: Security.
Local law enforcement, backed up by federal agents, command posts, counter-drone technology, bomb squads and AI-powered security cameras positioned across the US are gearing up for one of the largest security efforts in the country.
Federal officials told CNN that while they are not tracking any credible threats, the landscape is ripe for potential attacks.
In preparation for the events, the FBI has been training local officers in counter-drone technology at the Redstone Arsenal military base in Huntsville, Alabama — 60 of whom have graduated from the program and will be deployed around the country alongside FBI and DHS agents.
The primary concern from the air is the potential for small, deadly payloads to be attached to readily available drones to attack fans and stadiums around the country. During a demonstration at Redstone Arsenal, the FBI showed how they monitor the skies from remote command posts and can remotely jam or deter these drones.
The ever-present threat of lone wolf actors — a unique security challenge difficult to detect — is also top of mind for law enforcement across the country, with large groups often presenting a prime target for such attacks.
Coordination among federal and local partners is key in making sure the matches and events remain safe, with command posts established across the country to help make sure threat assessments and other alerts are quickly communicated to officers and agents on the ground.
“These host cities have handled large events before,” a federal law enforcement official told CNN. “We’re integrated with them and ready. The level of planning is insane.”
Sign up for CNN's World Cup newsletter, The Beautiful Game
Nothing can move a group of people like soccer can, especially at a World Cup. It taps into something primal, uniting nations and creating memories that last forever, causing your heart to beat louder than ever before.
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A lot of interesting aspects to this opening ceremony so far
The opening ceremony for the Mexico vs. South Africa match has been pretty interesting so far. Beautiful costumes – including indigenous inspired garb and futuristic, almost cosmic, gold and silver outfits – a giant World Cup with some fireworks.
And here we go with the music!
First World Cup opening ceremony is underway in Mexico
Before a ball is kicked at the Mexico City Stadium, the world will be treated to an opening ceremony – which is just starting now.
We can expect famous faces, musical artists like Shakira and everything in between.
This is the first of three opening ceremonies for each of the three co-hosts.
CNN Sports' players to watch at the 2026 World Cup
Each of the 48 World Cup teams can take a squad of up to 26 players with them, meaning there will be well over 1,000 stars hoping to get minutes on the pitch across North America.
In every World Cup, there is always one player who shines brighter than the rest. Think Lionel Messi in 2022, Ronaldo Nazario in 1998 and Diego Maradona in 1986 – tournaments defined by a single player.
With so many to consider for this year’s tournament, we’ve enlisted the help of some CNN Sports colleagues who have all chosen their player to watch.
