World Cup 2026: SoCal gears up for tournament ahead of matches at SoFi Stadium

Mexico's 2-0 win over South Africa brought joy to El Tri's army of fans.

"Let's go for more," Isidro Martínez, an excited 36-year-old businessman, said after Mexico took the lead early in the first half.

Martínez, his brother, and a friend were among the throngs of people who watched the match at a fan fest in Mexico City's main square. It was one of 18 in cities throughout Mexico.

At the Angel monument on one of the capital's main avenues, hundreds of fans watched as Mexico doubled its lead in the second half of a choppy game that ended with three red card ejections, including one for a Mexican player.

"We are going to win my friend, We're going for it all!" screamed Gerry Legarreta, a 52-year-old American who traveled from the Texas border city of El Paso to celebrate his birthday while watching the game.

In front of him, a group of people, including children, danced in a circle waving the Mexican flag. On the other side of the traffic circle, a band added to the raucous atmosphere by banging drums and playing trumpets.

In Tacuba, an area in northern Mexico City, Irene Rosell Soriano cheered on El Tri from a wheelchair, her legs covered by the Mexican flag.

"These are the final games of my life," said Rosell Soriano, who at age 92, was probably the oldest fan at that watch party. "And, well, I have to enjoy them."

Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez helped Mexico make an exuberant start to the World Cup on Thursday, scoring a goal each in a 2-0 win over South Africa in the opening match of the tournament.

With a capacity crowd of 80,824 watching at the iconic Azteca Stadium, co-host Mexico started the largest World Cup tournament in history by getting goals in each half while three red cards were shown - two for South Africa and one for Mexico.

Quiñones, who was the top scorer in the Saudi league this season, gave Mexico the lead in the ninth minute. Jiménez added the second goal on a header in 66th.

South Africa players Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were both given red cards, forcing the team to finish the match with only nine players. Mexico defender César Montes was then given a red card in injury time.

With his 46th international goal, and his first in three World Cups, Jiménez tied Jared Borgetti for second place for the Mexican national team. He is six goals shy of leader Javier "Chicharito" Hernández.

Quiñones, a 29-year-old forward who was born in Colombia, was one of six starting players who made their World Cup debut for El Tri.

Mexico, coming of a first-round exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, has three points in Group A and will next play South Korea next Thursday in Guadalajara.

South Africa will play the Czech Republic on the same day in Atlanta.

This year's World Cup has 48 teams, the most in history. It is being held in Mexico, Canada and the United States.

The World Cup has officially kicked off after a spectacular show Thursday in Mexico City where El Tri scored twice to beat South Africa 2-0.

Thousands of fans are making their way to Southern California for the 2026 World Cup, and the Transportation Security Administrations is gearing up for the influx of passengers at airports.

The TSA expects more than 6 billion international visitors across the different U.S. host cities and base camps. Nearly 80 matches will be played in the U.S.

Thousands of fans are making their way to Southern California for the 2026 World Cup, and the Transportation Security Administrations is gearing up for the influx of passengers at airports.

Over the next 39 days of the tournament, TSA's Federal Security Director Jason Pantages says airports and venues be among the safest and most secure places to be.

During the World Cup, the TSA will showcase some of its advanced security procedures and technologies.

Travelers at LAX will experience things like touchless technology to minimize physical contact, including automatic e-gates. Those using TSA Pre-Check will notice touchless ID for enhanced identity verification.

"We have advanced scammers to reduce false alarms and pat-downs, computer tomography systems with AI-generated images, hundreds of K-9 teams screening vehicles, cargo, baggage and passengers," Pantages said. "Coupled with the fact that all passengers can now leave their shoes on, these upgrades deliver faster, smarter and more secure screening."

The largest World Cup in tournament history kicks off Thursday with co-host Mexico taking on South Africa in the opening match.

Amid escalating protests and social tensions in Mexico's capital, more than 80,000 fans were making their way to Mexico City Stadium - better known as Azteca Stadium. It got a much-needed facelift ahead of the 48-team tournament that Mexico is hosting alongside the United States and Canada.

The iconic venue will be the first stadium to host three World Cup openers - after doing so in the 1970 and 1986 tournaments.