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The FIFA World Cup has finally arrived for its newest edition: 2026 in North America, with Mexico, the United States and Canada joining together as co-hosts.

It's going to be the biggest World Cup ever, up to 48 teams for the first time, and it all starts on Thursday when Mexico hosts South Africa. Usually, the host nation plays the first game, but with three hosts, only one could do so, and the Mexican side got the honor.

Mexico made the most of it in a wild match that finished 2-0 but had a lot more to it.

South Africa had two red cards to go down to nine men.

Late on, Mexico was given a red card as well to drop to 10 men.

In the end, though, Mexico gets a win at the Azteca to open things up.

We've got more details below.

MORE: Germany fan Freddy is going viral for his journey through the American South

Mexico vs. South Africa box score

Refresh for the latest team stats.

Mexico vs. South Africa goals

Refresh for the latest scoring summary.

- 67': Raul Jimenez scores his first career World Cup goal, a header. Assist from Roberto Alvarado on a cross to Jimenez's head.

- 9': Julian Quinones scores to give Mexico a 1-0 lead. That remained the score at halftime.

MORE: These are the 12 Manchester United stars playing at the World Cup

Who are the goalies in Mexico vs. South Africa?

Mexico will start Raul Rangel in goal.

South Africa's top goalie is Ronwen Williams, who has been their keeper for a dozen years.

We're keeping track of their save totals in the box above.

MORE: Why Gilberto Mora didn't start Mexico's World Cup opener

More FIFA World Cup news:

Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who spent his senior year following Jim Boeheim's basketball team around the country. His reporting work has also included extensive high school sports coverage at the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle. Adventures in sports writing have also led to in-person coverage of the Buffalo Sabres, Cleveland Guardians, U.S. men's national soccer team and a variety of minor league baseball stories. When people ask if he's seen a movie, the answer is usually "No, I was probably watching sports." Even away from sports, his main hobby is running (much slower than any athlete in these pages).

Source: Sporting News