Four Big Takeaways From Day 1 of the 2026 World Cup

The United States kick off a home World Cup years in the making tonight against Paraguay in Inglewood, Calif., home of the Rams and Chargers. Co-host Canada get their turn hours before when they play Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto.

But the World Cup officially got underway Thursday when Mexico beat South Africa and South Korea took down the Czech Republic in Group A.

As the tournament gets rolling, here are four takeaways from Day 1 of the World Cup:

Red card-palooza

There were four red cards in all of the 2018 World Cup and four again in 2022. In a single match, the 2026 World Cup nearly matched those totals as Mexico-South Africa finished with 10 men against nine.

South Africa lost Sphephelo Sithole in the 49th minute and Themba Wane in the 84th. Cesar Montes got sent off two minutes into second-half stoppage. Wane’s red card for “violent conduct” only came after video-assisted review, and Montes being called for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity drew some head-scratching.

What remains to be seen is whether this was the stance of referee Wilton Sampaio or if physicality will be judged more harshly across the board.

Mexico seizing the moment

Mexico needed this one. The nation has played in eight World Cup openers all-time and had not won any of the first seven. That monkey is finally off El Tri’s back.

Is a 2-0 victory over a country ranked 61st in the world that finished with nine men worth racing home to brag to your friends about? Um, no, not when you put it that way. South Africa appear destined for the bottom of Group A.

But Mexico set the tone for the group stage with promising defense and the attacking efforts of Roberto Alvarado and goalscorers Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez. They get to play all three group stage matches in Mexico, including another one in Mexico City, where El Tri are historically dominant.

South Korea could be dangerous

South Korea are the clear threats to Mexico’s hopes of finishing atop Group A. Late Thursday night, the Koreans rallied from down a goal to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1.

It marks the third straight World Cup and the sixth of the last seven where South Korea have won at least one game. They have an experienced team led by star Son Heung-min, but they showed Thursday they didn’t need Son to score in order to win.

Hwang In-Beom drew South Korea level in the 67th minute and Oh Hyeon-Gyu broke the tie 13 minutes later. They dominated possession and goalie Kim Seung-Gyu made three saves; the only goal he let by was an incredible header off a set piece. South Korea will test Mexico on June 18 in Guadalajara.

No excuses now for USMNT

The other big takeaway Thursday came off the pitch, as Mauricio Pochettino confirmed U.S. defender Chris Richards is available for selection against Paraguay.

Richards, who missed the 2022 World Cup with a hamstring injury, tore ligaments in his ankle four weeks ago while playing for Crystal Palace. Without Richards, the USMNT would be perilously thin at center back, especially if Pochettino wants to continue trying a back line of three center backs along with wing backs.

Pochettino, entering his first World Cup in charge of the national team, also said Thursday that he doesn’t plan to make a speech before the game. “If you aren’t ready, sorry guys, it’s impossible to perform,” he said.

Translation to U.S. sports parlance: I shouldn’t have to motivate you ahead of the biggest game of your life.

The U.S. are in the comforts of home. Nobody in Group D, not Australia, not Turkey, look particularly daunting. They must win their group. No excuses.