Mexico City: South Africa’s Yaya Sithole became the first player to receive a yellow card at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a late challenge on Mexico midfielder Alvaro Fidalgo during the tournament opener at the Estadio Azteca.

Things went from bad to worse for the midfielder, as he was later shown a second yellow card and sent off in the second half after another challenge on Brian Gutierrez, leaving South Africa reduced to 10 men.

The incident occurred as South Africa attempted to press high up the pitch in search of an equaliser. However, Mexico quickly regained possession before Sitole brought down Fidalgo with a mistimed tackle.

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The referee wasted little time in reaching for his pocket, showing Sitole the first yellow card of the expanded 48-team World Cup, drawing loud cheers from the packed crowd in Mexico City.

A star-studded opening ceremony featuring Shakira, Burna Boy and J Balvin kicked off the 2026 World Cup before a crowd of more than 80,000 at the revamped Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. 

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

It is the eighth opening match of a World Cup for the Mexicans, who had previously lost five and drawn the last two, including against South Africa in the 2010 World Cup.

South Africa is playing in its first World Cup since hosting the 2010 tournament. Bafana Bafana also played in the 1998 and 2002 editions.

Mexico arrived with an eight-match unbeaten streak and has not lost since last November, when Paraguay beat them in a friendly.

The Mexican team is led by the 67-year-old coach Javier Aguirre, who is in his third stint with the national team.