Mexico secured a 2-0 victory against South Africa in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup. While the game started dynamically, it concluded with a somewhat subdued but ultimately convincing win for the hosts. Mexico proved to be an ideal host for this tournament. German TV viewers can look forward to a new dream team of commentators who have exceeded high expectations. Unfortunately, VAR continues to cause controversy even at the World Cup. Here are three key observations from the opening match.
Mexico Would Have Been the Ideal Host for a Normal World Cup
Perhaps FIFA’s best idea was to let this highly controversial World Cup begin in Mexico and at the iconic Azteca Stadium. Mexico is a nation with a genuine passion for football; its people require no explanation of the rules or football culture. There’s no risk of them interpreting «culture» primarily as how to sell the most merchandise, to name a harmless example. The Azteca Stadium is also one of the cathedrals of this wonderful sport, which unfortunately suffers so much.
And Mexico, its people, the Azteca Stadium – they delivered in the 2-0 victory against South Africa in the 2026 World Cup opening match. The fact that the fans started to grumble midway through the second half when El Tri seemed hesitant to score the second goal speaks to the audience’s football understanding.
It began with a refreshingly short and pleasantly old-school opening ceremony. Mana, Belinda, and Los Angeles Azules showcased their artistry and the spirit of football rather than themselves. Shakira, with her sidekick Burna Boy, proved that a life of football anthems exists beyond «Waka Waka,» even if «Dai Dai» can’t quite match the epic anthem of 2010. The party organizers avoided unnecessary disruptions and saved their fireworks for the end of the celebration. Thomas Müller, among others, surely found the opening ceremony «fantastic.»
It was unfortunate, then, that the introduction of the participating teams felt like an eternity. But that’s the nature of the grandiose games orchestrated by Gianni Infantino and Donald Trump. It’s clear that while Mexico opened the tournament in the best and most dignified way possible, the tournament will primarily be an American one. It’s unlikely the atmosphere will improve significantly from Thursday. Only ten of the 104 matches will be played in Mexico, with 13 more in Canada. It’s also true that Mexico faces significant social challenges, and despite the people’s football enthusiasm, it’s understandable that mass protests are occurring at this time. Furthermore, Mexico likely wouldn’t have been able to manage a mega-World Cup with 48 teams and 104 matches on its own, though this applies to most countries, possibly even footballing nations like Brazil, England, and Germany.
However, if the 2026 World Cup were allowed to be a normal football World Cup – a tournament with 32 teams, no advertising breaks mid-half, and affordable tickets for fans who were made to feel like guests among friends – then Mexico would have been the ideal host.
Thomas Müller and Jürgen Klopp: A New Dream Team? Yes!
In England, they have Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards with their excellent podcast The Rest is Football; in the USA, Kate Scott, Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher, and again Micah Richards are making waves in the Champions League with their fantastic show CBS Golazo. And us? Thanks to MagentaTV, we might have a new dream duo of experts in Thomas Müller and Jürgen Klopp!
Admittedly, expectations for the two were huge given their legendary conversational skills, but they delivered from day one. Müller stated, «Football has always been my thing – and talking too. I’ve arrived in paradise,» and engaged in a contest with Klopp for the dirtiest laugh, with the older of the two playfully teasing Tom Kaulitz, who was somehow randomly present at the Azteca Stadium, about the extra pressure for his upcoming hosting debut on «Wetten, Dass…?»
But both showed not only good humor but also excellent preparation. For instance, Müller spoke before the opening match about Mexico’s two strong substitute players, super-talent Gilberto Mora and Santiago Gimenez («who used to play for Feyenoord Rotterdam and knocked out my Bayern»). He also vigorously and competently disagreed with moderator Johannes B. Kerner when asked about the strength of the co-host. From a television perspective, this could be a very good tournament.
What’s the Point of VAR If It Doesn’t Utilize Its Powers?
Much was discussed before the World Cup about the new rules. FIFA introduced new penalties for time-wasting, gave VAR more authority, and announced that players who cover their mouths with their hands or jerseys when protesting a referee’s decision or talking to opponents would henceforth be sanctioned with a red card.
However, none of these reforms were truly evident in the opening match, as ultimately too little happened in the fast-paced start. The fact that the referee Pereira Sampaio and VAR were still discussed at the end was due to a premiere – never before had three red cards been issued in an opening match – and because VAR did not overturn one of the dismissals.
In stoppage time, Sampaio showed Mexican player Cesar Montes a red card for a supposed last-man foul. The sending-off was ultimately insignificant for the game, but the center-back was neither truly the last man nor did he deny a clear goal-scoring opportunity – the path to goal for the overwhelmed South Africans was still quite long. Sampaio deeming the scene worthy of a red was bad enough, but VAR failing to overturn this incorrect decision is likely to lead to the first major uproar in the co-host nation. What’s the point of VAR if it doesn’t use its powers?
It’s a shame, especially since the two previous red cards for South Africa were correctly identified, even though the situations were much less clear.