2026 FIFA World Cup Kickoff: Simon Jordan discusses the growth of American soccer
Talksport presenter Simon Jordan discusses the 2026 FIFA World Cup kick-off in Mexico, highlighting its immense global and growing US influence. Jordan notes that football has become the third most popular sport in the United States, ahead of baseball and hockey. He is optimistic about the record tournament, which is expected to sell 6.5 million tickets, despite the difficulties encountered at the World Cup.
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The first of 104 World Cup matches was won by the country that hosted the start of the tournament.
Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in Mexico City after the Estadio Azteca hosted the World Cup opening ceremonies.
Mexico was the better team from the start, scoring in the ninth minute after having already won two corners.
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Raul Jimenez celebrates with his teammates after scoring Mexico’s second goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A match against South Africa at Mexico City Stadium on June 11, 2026. (Hector Vivas/FIFA via Getty Images)
A pass of South Africa The goalkeeper moved away from a teammate and was spotted by Erik Lira. The ball was then collected by Julián Quiñones, who completed just one dribble towards midfield and fired a right-footed shot into the net, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
South Africa’s hopes of a comeback were damaged when Yaya Sithole was shown a red card in the 50th minute for bringing down Mexican Brian Gutiérrez in what would have been a breakaway.
From then on, South Africa were playing with 10 men, which made the mountain even bigger to climb.
Mexican players applaud their supporters during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A match between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico Stadium, Mexico City on June 11, 2026. (Ange Delgado/Getty Images)
MEXICO SCORES FIRST GOAL OF 2026 WORLD CUP AT HOME AFTER EMOTIONAL NATIONAL ANTHEM AT OPENING CEREMONY
The stab came in the 67th minute, when Raúl Jiménez headed in a perfect cross from Roberto Alvarado, making it 2-0. Playing in his fourth World Cup, it was Jiménez’s first goal in the tournament’s history, and he couldn’t help but let out his emotions.
South Africa received another red card in the 84th minute, and Mexico received one in the 92nd minute. The South Africans Sithole and Themba Zwane, as well as the Mexican César Montes, will respectively miss their next matches against the Czech Republic in Atlanta and Korea in Guadalajara.
In World Cup history, Mexico has now won 15 of the 23 matches in which it scored first, with five draws and three defeats.
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The Estadio Azteca, renamed Mexico City Stadium for the tournament, hosted the tournament’s opening ceremonies, during which all 48 competing countries were represented. FIFA President Gianni Infantino was present in the building with the FIFA World Cup Trophy.
Mexican striker Julian Quinones celebrates his team’s first goal during the 2026 World Cup Group A match against South Africa at Mexico Stadium, Mexico City, June 11, 2026. (Rodrigo Oropeza/AFP via Getty Images)
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Mexico is coming off a disappointing trip to Qatar, as it was the first time since 1978 that they participated in a World Cup without reaching the round of 16. Aside from her ban in 1990 and failure to qualify in 1982, she made it past the group stage in nine consecutive World Cups in which she participated.
