South Korea defeats Czechia after Mexico’s victory against South Africa: World Cup results
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A packed stadium in Mexico City saw the hosts kick off the tournament with a win, followed by South Korea’s 2-1 comeback victory that played out in front of some empty seats in Guadalajara.
Hwang In-beom celebrates scoring South Korea's first goal against Czechia in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Thursday. Lars Baron / Getty Images
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The first day of the 2026 World Cup began Thursday in Mexico with red cards and ended with the Red Devils.
Mexico scored the first goal and victory of the tournament when it beat South Africa 2-0 on home soil in front of a packed stadium in Mexico City. The match was marred by three red-card dismissals — the most in a match in World Cup history — that left South Africa down to just nine players. South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane and Mexico’s César Montes all will miss their team’s next game.
The win was cheered by packed watch parties of Mexican fans from Atlanta to Los Angeles.
“It’s a huge responsibility, because 11 Mexicans are representing a country of 180 million people,” Mexico’s Érik ira said. “We did the best we could, and from the moment the referee started the match, we went out there to win.”
Hours later in Guadalajara, South Korea’s Red Devils dominated the possession but still had to rally from a goal down to beat Czechia 2-1, thanks to a masterly goal and assist by Hwang In-beom.
Hwang’s shot fake and cool finish to tie the game got those inside the stadium — predominantly Korean fans — out of their seats. But there were noticeable rows that were empty, after much discussion in the build-up to the tournament about ticket pricing.
Those matches were just the first two of the 104 in total that will play out over the next five weeks before a champion is crowned on July 19. Beginning Friday, action in the 48-team tournament, the largest field in its history, will shift to the other co-hosting nations, the U.S. and Canada.
In Inglewood, California, the U.S. men will open Friday against Paraguay in a game that comes 20 months since coach Mauricio Pochettino was appointed to lead them into their first World Cup on home soil since 1994.
“Something is growing now in the group, and what we can tell so far until today that all the conditions are very positive and we are so happy,” Pochettino said.
The U.S. is trying to advance past the round of 16 for the first time since 2002. Since 2010, it has lost just one of its last nine group-stage games, a run that includes three wins and five draws. On Friday, it faces a Paraguay team that, to qualify for its first World Cup since 2010, beat both soccer superpowers Argentina and Brazil during tournament qualifying in 2024.
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino speaks at the announcement of the national teams World Cup roster in New York on May 26. Timothy A. Clary / AFP via Getty Images
Pochettino did not announce his starters, but he said he had settled on a lineup. All 26 players on the U.S. roster are available to be selected, he said — which meant Chris Richards, a vital defender who had sustained an ankle njury in April, could bolster the U.S. backline.
“Chris is available to be selected, and then we will decide if you start from the beginning of the game or on the bench,” Pochettino said.
Final: South Korea 2, Czechia 1
Behind a goal and an assist from Hwang In-beom, South Korea came from behind to beat Czechia 2-1 in both teams' World Cup opener in Guadalajara, Mexico.
South Korea's 15 shot attempts dwarfed Czechia's eight, yet Czechia scored first in the 59th minute on a header by Ladislav Krejčí. A goal by Hwang in the 67th minute and his assist on Oh Hyeon-gyu's goal in the 80th minute were the difference.
A diving save preserves South Korea's lead
In the 93rd minute — with just three more minutes of stoppage time left before the final whistle — South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu made a diving save to his right to keep his team ahead 2-1.
Czechia is threatening again as the final minute approaches.
South Korea strikes again, taking 2-1 lead
Oh Hyeon-gyu celebrates with teammate Lee Gi-hyuk after scoring South Korea's second goal. Ulises Ruiz / AFP via Getty Images
Only minutes after Czechia thought it had taken a 2-1 lead, only for the score to be called off for offside, South Korea answers. Running up the middle of the pitch, Oh Hyeon-gyu found a way to get his left foot onto a pass whipped in front of the goal by Hwang In-beom and tapped the ball into the goal. Hwang has now had a hand, er, foot, in both of the night's spectacular goals by South Korea.
No goal! Czechia called offside on goal
Tomáš Souček scored what appeared to be a go-ahead goal on a header from a free kick in the 77th minute, but referees quickly disallowed the goal because Souček was offside. Replays showed the call was accurate.
Video: How South Korea and Czechia scored
The goal that gave Czechia the lead:
And the strike that tied the score:
South Korea equalizes in the 67th minute!
In-Beom Hwang #6 of Korea Republic celebrates scoring his team's first goal. Lars Baron / Getty Images
Hwang In-beom corralled a perfect pass from South Korean teammate Lee Kang-in, then stopped on a dime to fake out both his defender and Czechia's goalkeeper before softly kicking in the tying goal in the 67th minute. That was a beautiful sequence.
Both teams make first substitutions
Only minutes after Czechia took a 1-0 lead, both teams have opted to add fresh legs into their lineups. South Korea replaced its No. 10 striker, Lee Jae-sung, with Hwang Hee-chan. Czechia took off the three players who played most forward on offense.
Czechia takes 1-0 lead over South Korea
Ladislav Krejčí of Czechia celebrates scoring his team's first goal. Michael Regan - FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images
In a game in which South Korea has dominated possession, Czechia has made the most of its precious few opportunities by scoring in the 58th minute on a header by Ladislav Krejčí. Krejčí flew into the box like the Knicks' OG Anunoby to redirect the pass by Vladimír Coufal.
That was Czechia's first shot on goal of the night, and it has put it ahead 1-0.
South Korea comes oh so close to a breakthrough goal
Czechia goalkeeper Matěj Kovár has been busy through the first 10 minutes of the second half.
He stopped one hard shot from Hwang In-beom and then a rebound opportunity from Lee Jae-sung. At the 56-minute mark, Son Heung-min had his second open chance to score tonight on a run into the box that was stopped again by Kovár. He has four saves on the night.
South Korea has an 11-2 advantage on shot attempts.
Second half of South Korea-Czechia begins
The second game of this World Cups has resumed in Guadalajara, Mexico. Will South Korea wear down Czechia defense, or can Czechia score on a well-timed counterattack?
Tied at half despite many opportunities for South Korea
South Korea had eight shot attempts in the first half but could not convert, and it enters halftime in a scoreless tie with Czechia.
Czechia had two shot attempts.
Son Heung-min hits a rocket but misfires twice
Son Heung-min of South Korea. Michael Regan / FIFA via Getty Images
A former Golden Boot winner in the Premier League for Tottenham, Son Heung-min has at times been one of the world's most elite goa-scorers. However, on his best, first try to score tonight, he put force behind a shot, but it soared just high of the goal in the 37th minute.
Just one minute later, Son ran through the Czechia back line and had another open look, but this shot went wide left of the goal.
Czechia is here after a 20-year wait
The country formerly known as Czechoslovakia was once a World Cup regular, qualifying for eight of the first 14 World Cups through 1990, including a runner-up finish in 1962. Ever since, however, as it transitioned to the Czech Republic, it qualified for just one tournament — in 2006, when it did not advance past the group stage.
Czechia beginning to regain possession
South Korea dominated the run of play for most of the first 20 minutes, but Czechia has slowly transitioned from being mostly on defense to mostly on the attack. Both teams have taken three corner kicks as they pause for the game's first hydration break.
No success for South Korean opportunities
Ten minutes in, South Korea had the first real chance either team has had for a goal opportunity when it had a corner kick, but the set piece was defended well. Shortly afterward, Lee Jae-sung sneaked behind the defense and had the ball on his foot near the goal but couldn't score. A header also went awry a few seconds later.
We're off in Guadalajara for South Korea-Czechia
Pavel Šulc of Czechia, No. 15, passes under pressure from Hwang In-beom of South Korea, No. 6. Lars Baron / Getty Images
Just one minutes into this game and Czechia has already been physical with South Korean star Son Heung-min.
Just 15 minutes away from second World Cup match
Inside the stadium before the match between South Korea and Czechia at Guadalajara Stadium. Lars Baron / Getty Images
South Korea and Czechia will kick off in 15 minutes from Guadalajara, Mexico, in the second Group A matchup of the day. Earlier, Mexico beat South Africa, 2-0, to begin the tournament.
South Korea and Czechia have met just once before, in a 2016 friendly.
NBC’s chief data analyst Steve Kornacki joins "TODAY" with his big board to break down the action for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the matchups for the U.S. Men’s National Team and the underdog countries facing the longest shot to win the championship.
FIFA leader doesn't regret U.S. as World Cup co-host
Facing backlash to high ticket prices and the denial of some World Cup officials' or team members' entry into the U.S., FIFA President Gianni Infantino was resolute yesterday that he did not regret choosing the U.S. to co-host this World Cup, alongside Mexico and Canada.
Infantino spoke at a news conference in Mexico City ahead of today's tournament-opening game there.
Attorneys general in New York, New Jersey, Texas and California have said they will investigate FIFA's ticketing policies. Texas' attorney general said this week that fans had been "misled" about the locations of their tickets for games in Dallas and Houston.
"We’ll present everything and make our case, but it’s most important that every dollar that we generate goes back into football," Infantino said.
Also, the referee Omar Artan of Somalia was denied entry in Miami. He was scheduled to be the first Somali referee to work a World Cup.
“It is unfortunate what happened to Omar, the referee from Somalia, but again we don’t control everything,” Infantino told reporters. “We try, we’ll discuss, we’ll see. Maybe sometimes it’s good as well to chill, relax. We work on everything; we try to resolve everything."
Infantino later praised FIFA's ability to get the Iranian national team into the tournament for games in the U.S., four months after the U.S. and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran. The national team moved its training base from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, but will play its group-stage games in Los Angeles and Seattle.
“It has been successful to bring Iran to play in America. I don’t know who would’ve managed to do that," he said.
South Korea turns to Son Heung-min again on soccer’s biggest stage
Son Heung-min, also known as “Sonny,” made quite the splash in August when he chose to leave Tottenham Hotspur for LAFC, joining MLS on a contract that runs through next year. The 6-foot-tall forward is widely considered the best-known Asian player in the soccer world, so beloved back home that the Los Angeles Times once described him as “more popular than K-pop.”
Leaving South Korea as a teenager, Sonny began his professional career in Germany, where he played in the Bundesliga for Hamburger SV and Bayer Leverkusen. He joined Spurs in 2015 and played in 454 games. Sonny captained the Spurs to a UEFA Europa League championship in his final year in London, the team’s first major trophy in 17 years.
Son Heung-Min of South Korea controls the ball against El Salvador in Provo, Utah, on June 3. Alex Goodlett / Getty Images
His evolution into a leader for both club and country is in part due to the dynamism he brings on the pitch. He’s known for his ability for creative playmaking and his willingness to slip into any role when the situation calls for it. His long stride creates a pace that makes him a dangerous opponent regardless of his position on the pitch.
Sonny, a former Premier League Golden Boot winner, has been in a scoring slump for both his club and his international squad. However, the unselfish captain has led MLS in assists so far, which may still bode well for South Korea. This summer would mark his fourth World Cup appearance for South Korea, whose biggest threat in the group stage is expected to be co-host country Mexico.
Mbappé is good bet for World Cup best player award
Trysta Krick and Jay Croucher discuss the World Cup odds for best player of the tournament, and Croucher shares his reasoning behind liking France's Kylian Mbappé (+900) best for the award.
Revive los 26 mejores momentos de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA Catar 2022
Goles, atajadas, tandas de penales, festejos e instantes inolvidables que se quedaron en la memoria colectiva de los fanáticos del fútbol durante la última Copa del Mundo.
FBI warns drone operators to stay away from World Cup matches
Security for the World Cup is expanding skyward, with law enforcement agencies preparing for drone activity that could range from nuisances to serious threats as the U.S. co-hosts the tournament starting next week.More than 60 local, county and state law enforcement agencies in places where the games will be held recently completed a first-of-its-kind federal training program to help detect and deter the unauthorized presence of drones near World Cup sites and related fan events. The FBI plans to train additional classes even beyond the games.
NBC News got a unique look at the program at the FBI training facility at the Redstone Arsenal.
Drones pose a unique challenge for law enforcement because the technology evolves fast, they’re readily available, and they can carry harmless payloads like cameras — or dangerous substances. The Federal Aviation Administration sets and publicizes flight restrictions around high-profile events and limits drone use within a specific radius. Drone operators who violate the restricted space face criminal penalties.
Who are the favorites to win the World Cup?
Ahead of the World Cup's kicking off, who are the favorites to win it all? Which heavyweights are looking good? Are some of the top dogs struggling?
Below we take a look at where the favorites are and who is likely to go all the way and lift that glorious trophy at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
According to odds from DraftKings, our official betting partner, Spain is the favorite. The reigning European champions are priced at +450 to win it all. But stacked France is right behind them at +475, with England +750 seeing out the top three as all three European teams have deep squads.
Here are the players who will miss their teams’ next matches
As a result of the three red cards today, here are the players who won’t be eligible for their teams’ next matches:
For South Africa, Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane won’t play against Czechia.
And for Mexico, César Montes won’t play against South Korea.
Interesting path to the World Cup for Julián Quiñones
Quiñones scored the opening goal of the World Cup, and it’s unlikely for him to have done so for Mexico.
The 29-year-old was actually born in Colombia and represented the country in youth competitions early in his career.
In May 2023, Quiñones rejected a call-up to the national team, however, and began playing for Mexico later that year.
Final: Mexico 2, South Africa 0
Mexico, one of three host countries for the 2026 World Cup, began its tournament with a 2-0 win over South Africa.
It was a physical match, featuring three red cards, the first time it has happened in a World Cup opener and the first time in a World Cup in 20 years.
Mexico dominated, winning the possession battle 60% to 40%.
South Africa generated zero big chances and finished with an expected-goals performance of 0.07.
Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored for Mexico, which immediately jumps to the top of Group A.
First World Cup opener with three red cards
This is the first World Cup opening match with three red cards, per the FOX broadcast. We witnessed history!
Late red card on Mexico
South Africa managed to run out for an opportunity late in this match, and Mexico’s César Montes was given a red card for a strong tackle on South Africa’s Khuliso Mudau as he was running toward the goal.
Precious few minutes left for South Africa, now down to 9 men
Bafana Bafana are really just playing for their goal differential over these final 10 minutes, unless South Africa is somehow going to pull off a miraculous comeback.
To make matters worse than a 2-0 deficit, South Africa is now down to nine players after Themba Zwane was sent off with a red card following a VAR review.
Watch: Mexico's Julián Quiñones hits the post
Quiñones might have two goals if this first-half chance hadn't hit the post.
Gilberto Mora is in for Mexico, makes history
Mora, 17, is Mexico’s teenage phenom. He has come into the match in the second half, and with South Africa down to 10 men, expect him to be aggressive.
He also just made history as the youngest player to ever play for the country at a World Cup.
Near penalty for Mexico
Goal! Mexico scores again!
After the crowd was getting restless with some boos, Mexico has added to its lead.
Raúl Jiménez finished a cross into the box with his head, knocking the ball into the back of the net to give Mexico a 2-0 lead as we head into another hydration break.
Watch: Mexico manager Javier Aguirre's reaction to goal
What a shot from our friends at Telemundo.
Red card for South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole
Sithole made an illegal tackle on Mexico’s Brian Gutierrez as Gutierrez was about to have a clean lane to the goal, and he’s been sent off as a result. Mexico will have nearly 40 minutes of game time now with a man-advantage.
Near disaster early in second half for South Africa
South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams tried passing the ball to a teammate right in front of his own goal, and had it intercepted by Mexico. But Alvaro Fidalgo couldn't capitalize and shot the ball directly at Williams.
The second half has kicked off
Will South Africa find an equalizer? Or will Mexico continue dominating the game?
Sombreros were flying during opening ceremony
Check out the scene from the stands in Mexico during the World Cup opening ceremony, before the tournament's first match kicked off today,
Another angle of Mexico's goal, the first of this World Cup
Julián Quiñones' goal deserves another look.
Halftime: Mexico 1, South Africa 0
Mexico was dominant in the first half, controlling possession for 57% of the action and leading by a goal as a result.
Mexico also led in expected goals, 0.66 to 0.06, and big chances created, 1 to 0.
Good on South Africa for keeping things close, as every goal allowed will matter in the group stage.
Another great save by Ronwen Williams
Raul Jiminez came close to a goal for the second time, this time on a cross into the box, but he was once again turned away by a diving Ronwen Williams, who pushed the ball aside.
Julian Quinones almost scored his second goal moments later, but his shot hit the right post.
Mexico's Jesús Gallardo can't get cross past South Africa
Gallardo dribbled the ball down the left side, and had some Mexico teammates streaking on the backside of the goal. He tried to cross the ball but South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams snagged it easily.
Mexico leads at the 'hydration break'
We’re in the 25th minute, and we have a stoppage for hydration. Mexico leads 1-0, and has dominated this match, controlling possession for 54% of the action so far. The "hydration break" is a new feature of this World Cup.
At the 22-minute mark of each half, the teams will pause for three minutes so the players can stay, well, hydrated. It's a safety measure, with the temperatures expected to be high throughout the tournament.
Julian Quinones of Mexico celebrates scoring a goal to make the score 1-0 with his teammates Isreal Reyes and Johan Vasquez. Chris Brunskill / Fantasista via Getty Images file
Yellow card for South Africa's Teboho Mokoena
The South African midfielder was carded after a rough tackle on Mexico’s side of the pitch.
Goal! Mexico strikes first!
We have our first goal of the World Cup!
After a South Africa giveaway near its own goal, the ball found Julian Quinones who drilled the first goal of the tournament.
Early save from South Africa
Mexico's Raul Jiminez had an early chance on a strike from the top of the box, but South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams made a nice save to push the shot wide.
Mexico's Raul Jimenez in action. Eloisa Sanchez / Reuters
Mexico's best World Cup finishes? The years it served as host
The furthest Mexico has ever gone in the World Cup is the quarterfinals, and the country reached that round in both 1970 and 1986 -- the last two times it served as a host country.
Well, Mexico is hosting again in 2026, along with the United States and Canada. Does that mean Mexico will make another deep run? We'll see!
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has kicked off!
Mexico has kicked off against South Africa and the World Cup is underway!
Mexico's 17-year-old sensation Gilberto Mora starts game on bench
If Mora makes an appearance at any point during this tournament, he will become the youngest player to ever play for Mexico in a World Cup, and only the eighth-ever 17-year-old for any country.
Salma Hayek delivers the World Cup trophy
Mexican-American actress Salma Hayek delivered the World Cup trophy for the opening ceremony. On the telecast, she stood next to FIFA President Gianni Infantino and smiled as he lifted the trophy into the air.
The players are finally taking the pitch
After the pomp and circumstance of the opening ceremony — which included Salma Hayek, singing and fireworks — players from both Mexico and South Africa have made their way to the field.
Kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is mere moments away.
Andrea Bocelli, EJAE perform "DNA" at opening ceremony
I have a feeling we'll be hearing that song about a million more times over the next six weeks. "DNA" is the official 2026 World Cup anthem, and it's a collaboration between Bocelli, the DJ David Guetta and rapper Megan Thee Stallion, though Megan did not appear present in Mexico today.
World Cup country flags on display
Before Mexico-South Africa kicks off here in a few minutes, FIFA is marching in all 48 flags for the countries participating in the tournament and having the flag-bearers stand in a circle at midfield. It's another reminder: This is the largest World Cup ever, the first one with a 48-team field, up from 32 teams.
The teams will also be battling the conditions today
Rain is expected in Mexico City today, including a chance for storms during the opening match of the World Cup between Mexico and South Africa.
In addition to the weather, keep an eye on how players hold up in the altitude. Mexico City sits at an altitude of more than 7,000 feet — much higher than the infamous “mile high” altitude American sports fans are familiar with in Denver.
Here are the starting 11s for each side
For the visiting South Africans:
And for the host Mexico:
The World Cup experience through Mexico’s food
Josh Laredo says his food tours are a way to experience Mexico City during the World Cup through an authentic taco experience.
The 36-year-old entrepreneur from Stanford, Connecticut, moved to Mexico City last year to reconnect with the roots of his late grandparents. "I fell in love with the city, its culture and its food," he said. He decided to start a business that would help fellow Americans experience Mexico through its gastronomy. His website has tips for World Cup tourists and a list of matches with locations.
The “Provecho” tour hits five stops (mostly taco stands) over about three hours.
"Food is obviously the anchor, but there is also wine, art and the stories you only get from people who actually live this," he said. He sees the World Cup as an opportunity for more people to get to know the place he is in love with and overcome the misconceptions Americans may have about Mexicans.
Photos: Elaborately dressed performers take to the pitch to kick off World Cup
Natacha Pisarenko / AP
Rodrigo Oropeza / AFP via Getty Images
Natacha Pisarenko / AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko
Mexico will play South Africa in the opening match of the World Cup in Mexico City.
After major renovations, Mexico City’s legendary stadium Estadio Azteca is hosting the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. NBC News’ George Solis has a closer look at this soccer icon.
Here's how to advance out of the group stage
Today marks the largest FIFA World Cup to ever be put on, with 48 teams playing in the group stage and only 32 advancing to the knockout rounds.
The top two teams in each of the 12 groups will automatically advance to the round of 32. That leaves eight open slots that will be filled by the teams that have accumulated the most points.
It's 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and no points for a loss. Goal differentials will also help determine the group rankings.
Ties will be broken by the number of goals scored, the amount of cards a team has accumulated, and if all else fails, a team's position in the FIFA world rankings.
Mexico hoping for breakout performance from teen sensation
At the 1958 World Cup, a 17-year-old played his way onto the field for Brazil and spurred them to win the whole tournament, almost single-handedly. He scored in a 1-0 quarterfinal win over Wales, a hat trick in a semifinal win over France, and two more goals in the final against Sweden, the host country. His talent was undeniable. His name was Pelé.
Over the course of Pelé’s career, Brazil won two more World Cups, in 1962 and 1970, cementing his status as the greatest of all time. The lesson there was: If a player is talented enough, age is no issue, and the talent might reveal itself at a precocious age.
Mexico is hoping to receive a similar spark this summer from its own 17-year-old phenom, the midfielder Gilberto Mora.
Mexico's midfielder Gilberto Mora vies for the ball with Australia's defender Aziz Behich during a friendly match May 30. Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images
As a young boy, Mora began training with Tijuana, a club team in Liga MX. When he was just 15 years old, he made his senior circuit debut and became the youngest goal-scorer in Liga MX history. At 16, he helped Mexico win the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup and became the youngest player to claim an international trophy. He beat out Pelé for that milestone.
Mora is listed at only 5-foot-6, 137 pounds. But he’s proven to be a skilled attacking midfielder, capable of outgunning players twice his age.
“I want to win trophies with Xolos,” Mora told ESPN last year, referring to his club team, “and obviously with the national team, the World Cup, and also go to Europe.”
His pursuit of those goals continues this summer, when Mora can become only the eighth 17-year-old to play in the World Cup, and the youngest ever for Mexico.
Argentina tops world rankings hours before tournament begins
The reigning World Cup champions have topped FIFA's team rankings, edging out France, just hours before this summer's tournament is set to kick off.
Argentina took first place in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Rankings following its wins against Iceland and Honduras in the team's recent warm-up friendlies. The former first place team, France, was knocked to third after losing to the Ivory Coast last week.
Spain remains solidly second on the international rankings.
And in a historic bump, Morocco reaches seventh place on the list. It's the highest placement for the Atlas Lions since the ranking system was created more than 30 years ago.
The rankings may seem meaningless going into the World Cup, but they serve as a tie-breaker in the group stage and first knockout round.
Lionel Messi of Argentina runs during a friendly match against Iceland on June 9 in Auburn, Ala. Omar Vega / Getty Images
Ranking the World Cup groups — Who’s in the toughest group? Who got the easiest draw?
Sombreros and luchador masks: Mexico fans decked out for first game
Mario Vazquez / AFP via Getty Images
Luke Hales / Getty Images
Andrea Nieves Olivares, an 8-year-old Mexico fan, holds up her chicken, also a fan, outside the stadium. Hannah McKay / REUTERS
Mexico supporters arrived at the stadium today in Mexico City draped in the national flag ahead of the opening World Cup match against South Africa.
NBC News’ Jesse Kirsch takes a look at the major players who many expect could dominate the tournament.
Make your picks!
One hundred and four matches. Forty-eight nations. One champion. Map out the road to the final and pick your favorite team to take home the world’s biggest prize.
Mexico's players to watch
In the last World Cup, Mexico only managed to score two goals as it was bounced after group play. This time around, the team is hoping it can bring more firepower to the party as a tournament host.
Highlighting the list is Luis Chávez, who scored a goal in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and peppered goalkeepers with 10 shots. He also scored a goal in the team’s final friendly against Serbia, giving himself some solid momentum heading into the tournament.
Luis Chávez of Mexico runs with the ball during a friendly match against Serbia on June 4. Manuel Velasquez / Getty Images
Chicago Fire fans will recognize Brian Gutiérrez, who scored nine goals for the squad last season. He has picked up a pair of goals in friendly matches this year for Mexico, and he’ll be looked at as a bona fide scoring threat in this year’s event.
Johan Vásquez also has a pair of goals for Mexico in friendly matches this year.
In goal, the team has brought back veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who allowed just three goals in the three games in Qatar. This will be his fifth World Cup as a member of the Mexico squad, appearing in 11 matches during his tenure.
