Hello and welcome to Daily Mail Sport’s World Cup Breakfast from day two at the tournament – your one-stop shop for everything you’ve missed overnight in North America, Mexico and Canada.
For all the latest news, viral moments and what to look out for, stay right here.
OVERNIGHT ACTION
There was an awkward start to the tournament for ITV’s American presenter Semra Hunter.
As she was discussing various World Cup topics alongside former Man vs Food star Adam Richman, the channel showed footage of Sweden boss Graham Potter wearing a cowboy hat in training and commented on his new striking look.
Unfortunately for Hunter, she instead called him Gareth Southgate, prompting an online backlash.
Meanwhile we may have had just one day of action, yet if any players were in doubt about how strict officials are going to be this summer, they were sent a warning on Thursday night.
Brazilian referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio handed out three red cards during Mexico’s victory over South Africa, one fewer than the total number in the whole 2022 tournament.
There appeared to be no argument over Yaya Sithole’s professional foul being punished, although there were certainly question marks for Cesar Montes’ dismissal – while Themba Zwane was perhaps harshly done by after a VAR review.
Mexico opened the World Cup with a bang in the Azteca in a 2-0 win that saw three red cards
Mexico 2-0 South Africa, Mexico City
The first of our three hosts kicked off the tournament in style – and they had a hapless South Africa, who ended up with nine men, to thank for giving them a helping hand.
Yaya Sithole’s first half mistake gifted possession to Mexico as Julian Quinones scored after nine minutes and the South Africa midfielder was then sent off early in the second half after a last-man foul on Mexico’s Brian Gutierrez.
Raul Jimenez, now of Wolves, sealed the win with his first ever World Cup goal with a fabulous back-post header on a night where South Africa’s Themba Zwane and Mexico’s Cesar Montes were also sent off.
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South Korea 2-1 Czechia, Guadalajara
With Mexico’s comfortable victory over South Africa, there was a huge opportunity for one of these teams to take control of Group A alongside the co-hosts.
And that looked set to be Czechia when Wolves defender Ladislav Krejci put his country ahead in the second half in their first game at a World Cup in 20 years.
But Hwang In-Beom levelled the game, and a bold substitution from South Korea boss Hong Myung-bo, where he withdrew Son Heung-Min, paid off as Oh Hyeon-Gyu netted a late winner.
However, the story of the game was hundreds of empty seats, prompting embarrassment for FIFA despite president Gianni Infantino claiming they had received an unprecedented 500 million booking requests for the tournament.
However, the story of the second game of the day was hundreds of empty seats
TEAM OF THE DAY
VIEW ON THE GROUND – CHARLOTTE DALY IN MEXICO CITY
I was at the World Cup’s opening game and saw a day of peaceful demonstration descend into chaos just 10 minutes before kick-off.
Campaigners highlighting Mexico’s 133,000 missing persons’ crisis and teachers protesting pay, pensions and working conditions gathered around the stadium throughout the day.
But as kick-off approached, tensions escalated rapidly. Hundreds of protesters surged towards the stadium’s southwest perimeter, attempting to breach security barriers protecting the inner ring. I saw rocks being thrown, flares lit and riot police move in to contain the vociferous crowd.
Officers responded with tear gas as clashes intensified outside the ground. Mounted police were forced to ride through burning fires while protesters and security forces exchanged projectiles.
Several people were injured during the unrest, including a female police officer who was evacuated from the scene on the back of a motorbike with a serious head wound… turning football’s grand curtain-raiser into a scene of smoke, fire and disorder.
PICTURE OF THE DAY
It was a colourful curtain raiser inside a humid Azteca Stadium but this picture of one of the performers, resplendent in a stunning feathered costume, best encapsulates the passion and pride that was on full display in Mexico’s stunning opening ceremony.
VIRAL MOMENT OF THE DAY
It was quite a sight to see life-size Labubu dolls lifting a replica World Cup during one of two extravagant opening ceremonies at the Azteca.
Shakira was the headline music act but it was two Labubu dolls that stole the show to go viral, with millions around the globe gobsmacked at their inclusion.
Labubu dolls have become one of the world’s most popular and fashionable accessories in 2026 with the viral, elf-like toy, which was created by Hong Kong-based artist Kasing Lung, causing a frenzy in almost every country.
Mexico is no different and, yeah, the two of them successfully upstaged Shakira. Not something we had on the World Cup bingo card!
CELEBRITY WATCH
As well as the glitz and glamour from Thursday’s opening ceremony that featured Shakira, Burna Boy and Andrea Bocelli, a string of World Cup legends were in attendance at the Estadio Azteca.
This included Brazilian icons Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cafu and Roberto Carlos, while TV cameras also panned to the likes of Roberto Baggio, David Silva and Carlos Puyol during the game.
FIFA president Infantino was quick to make sure he got a photo with the legends, which also included former Mexican keeper Jorge Campos.
However, under-fire Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum did not attend, giving away her ticket amid the intense domestic scrutiny she is facing.
Legendary Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez was there though, and he later congratulated Player of the Match Julian Quinones.
Outside of Mexico City, Erling Haaland and the Norwegian team were spotted at the Stanley Cup final in North Carolina.
Erling Haaland and the Norwegian team were spotted at the Stanley Cup final in North Carolina
FIFA President Gianni Infantino poses with Brazilian legends Ronaldinho (left) and Ronaldo (right), along with former Mexico goalkeeper Jorge Campos (second right)
More Brazilian legends, including Cafu and Roberto Carlos, were also in attendance in Mexico
Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez congratulates Player of the Match Julian Quinones
STAT OF THE DAY
57 – There were MORE red cards in the first game of the 2026 World Cup than there were in the first 57 games of the 2022 World Cup (3 vs 2).
THREE THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR TODAY
1. How will the LA security operation look?
Keep an eye on the security operation in Los Angeles for the United States’ opening group game against Paraguay.
LA has seen federal immigration arrests triple over the past year and LA County Sheriff Robert Luna previously confirmed US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is embedded in their World Cup security planning.
After trouble between protestors and police in Mexico City ahead of the tournament opener, all eyes will be on the outskirts of the stadium in Inglewood on Friday night.
2. Can USMNT cope with the pressure?
We’re now almost two years into Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT reign and although his side reached the Gold Cup final last summer, it’s not been an easy ride after 10 defeats in 26 matches.
Pochettino has said his team can win the World Cup and that they are ready to go, yet with home expectations and against a Paraguay side that has plenty of current and former Premier League representation, it won’t be easy.
The US will hope that Crystal Palace centre-back Chris Richards is fit to play following his recent ankle injury.
3. Who will do the best opening ceremony?
After Thursday’s dramatic opening ceremony in Mexico City featuring Shakira, Burna Boy – and of course the life-size Labubu dolls, Canada and the US will have their own festivities ahead of their games this evening.
Both countries have brought in some big names, including Michael Buble for Canada, while Katy Perry will be performing in the US.
I wonder if FIFA president Infantino will be able to make it to all three after his role in yesterday’s Mexico ceremony.
Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT side get their World Cup campaign underway against Paraguay
TODAY’S GAMES
Canada v Bosnia & Herzegovina (8pm, BBC One, Toronto)
The second of our tournament hosts kickstart their World Cup campaign in Toronto against a Bosnia side that know a thing or two about proving people wrong after upsetting the odds against Wales and Italy to get here.
Expect Jesse Marsch’s young Canadian side to come flying out of the traps as they look to follow in Mexico’s footsteps.
Daily Mail prediction: Canada win
USA v Paraguay (2am, BBC One, Inglewood)
US national team boss Mauricio Pochettino issued a rallying cry to the nation to get behind his players – a smart move as he knows the pressure is on.
Paraguay are sneakily a lot better than people suspect and if USMNT are in any way lackadaisical in Inglewood, they’ll be in for a rude awakening. You don’t get the sense Pochettino will allow that to happen.
Daily Mail prediction: USA win
