The 2026 World Cup officially began on Thursday with a large-scale celebration held at Mexico City’s stadium. The opening match of the tournament featured Mexico playing against South Africa. Coverage of the event was provided by *La Nación*, documenting the atmosphere and key moments. The match marks the start of the expanded, multi-nation World Cup. Details regarding the game’s outcome and attendance figures were not immediately available in this initial report. The event signifies Mexico’s role as a host nation for the tournament, shared with the United States and Canada. This opening ceremony and match are intended to set a positive tone for the month-long competition.