The World Cup 2026 is finally here, and it began with a bang — and a flurry of red cards. Co-hosts Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in the opening game in Mexico City, a match that saw three players sent off, two in controversial fashion, in front of a packed stadium. The tournament, expanded to a record-breaking 48 nations for the first time, promises a month of football across Canada, the USA and Mexico.
For England and Scotland, the wait is almost over. England, managed by Thomas Tuchel, will face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in Group L, while Scotland — drawn in Group C — must take on Brazil, Morocco and Haiti. The Three Lions have been handed favourable kick-off times, according to the Evening Standard, as they seek to end a 60-year drought without a major trophy.
“World Cup 2026 starts with Mexico beating South Africa 2-0 in a game with three red cards”
But standing in their way are footballing legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, both expected to make their final World Cup appearances. Tuchel, however, is hoping to finally bring football home, with the team staying in an 'English-style cottage' hotel and having just won 6-0 in a final warm-up match, where a shock call-up scored a hat-trick.
The tournament's opening ceremony, headlined by Shakira and Burna Boy, set the stage in Mexico City before the hosts' victory. Now attention turns to the group stage, where Son Heung-min's South Korea face Czechia in Group A, and the rest of the 48 teams begin their campaigns. England's supporters will be watching closely as the Three Lions aim to make history on foreign soil.