Mexico and South Africa will meet in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup, a repeat of the 2010 tournament's first game. This marks the second time the same two teams have opened a World Cup, with Mexico also involved in the previous occurrence. In 2010, South Africa drew 1-1 with Mexico, with Siphiwe Tshabalala scoring a spectacular goal and Rafael Márquez equalizing late.
Historical Repeat Openers
Before 2026, the only repeat opening fixture involved Brazil and Mexico. Between 1950 and 1962, they faced off in three World Cups. In 1950, it was a standalone opener; in 1954 and 1962, it was one of four simultaneous matches. Brazil won all three encounters, including a 2-0 victory in 1962 featuring a legendary solo goal by Pelé. The results were:
- 1950: Brazil 4-0 Mexico
- 1954: Brazil 5-0 Mexico
- 1962: Brazil 2-0 Mexico
Mexico was also in Brazil's group in 2014, but that match was not the opener. The Women's World Cup has never seen a repeat opening fixture.
Real Madrid's Spain Squad Absence
For the first time, no Real Madrid player is in Spain's men's World Cup squad. The previous low was in 1950, with only Luis Molowny representing the club. In women's football, Real Madrid had no players in Spain's 2015 and 2019 squads, but by 2023, eight Madrid players featured, including Olga Carmona, who scored the winner in the final.
Everton's Managerial Legacy
Three former Everton managers will lead teams at the 2026 World Cup: Carlo Ancelotti (Brazil), Roberto Martínez (Portugal), and Ronald Koeman (Netherlands). However, this is not a record; four former Chelsea managers are also involved: Ancelotti, Mauricio Pochettino (USA), Graham Potter (Sweden), and Thomas Tuchel (England). Additionally, Scotland's Steve Clarke was a former Chelsea assistant.
Lower-League Call-Ups
New Zealand called up Tommy Smith from fifth-tier Braintree Town. Historically, lower-league players have been selected for major tournaments. In 2006, Trinidad and Tobago included Dennis Lawrence (fourth-tier Wrexham) and Evans Wise (German fifth tier). Togo also picked players from French third and seventh tiers.
Reader Questions
Kári Tulinius asks about Thomas Hässler, who won more international honors (World Cup 1990, Euro 1996) than club trophies (one Intertoto Cup). Brendon O'Mahony wonders if any player scored a higher proportion of their country's World Cup goals than Gary Lineker's six of seven in 1986. Stuart McLagan notes Scotland's 2026 squad has no more than three players from one club, possibly a record low, and asks about short-handed squads like El Salvador's 20-man squad in 1982.
