FIFA World Cup 2026 :Canada/Mexico/United States: Discussion Thread

[Jessie2121]

I think Mexico didn't play that good either. They missed too many opportunities of scoring goals. What happened is that South Africa played quite poorly, even compared to some clubs from the national championship from my country. It's hard to believe that a national team with that level of performance has reached the World Cup, or maybe, it's just that there are too many national teams participating this edition of the global championship.

The only way Mexico didn't play well is by not using the big opportunities they had, the red card should have been a way of tearing apart the defense of South Africa but they were busy dressing the ball to get a beautiful goal but they forget that this is the World Cup and when opportunities like this comes you have to take it and make good use of it. The other country side was busy thinking on how to play something crazy, bad tackles q d the rest to even make them get a second red card, the South Africa guys were frustrated after the first red card, like nothing was working for them. As of that time they were playing with a man down they still had the chance of getting a goalless but the other player lost it and made things worse than it was, let's see how they can manage in their second leg, is not yet over for South Africa.

I was bored during the first World Cup game. I didn't bet on them; I wanted South Africa to win, but I didn't like the way Mexico won. It was all mistakes. Mexico might advance to the next round, but they already have three points awarded by South Africa. There was a moment when I liked how Mexico played, but it faded. It hasn't changed my opinion of Mexico; they were lacking in many ways, and reading the comments here, many people agree.

That is why the game had to end the way it did, any mistake could cost the other and unfortunately for it was South Africa that made every errors that made them lost the game, but on a more serious note, South Africa wasn't playing like they were in for the competition, just there running making mistakes having cards not until the Mexican player was red carded that was when South Africa tried to play like we expected them to play. Yes, Mexico didn't play like they should have in the sense that the red card should be a better way of using the 9 South Africa playing to train more because if they use this same leg to play the likes of Czech Republic and South Korea I don't see them getting it easy because these countries are one of the biggest threats in that group and South Africa are already out of the group stage because they can't withstand the other 2 countries.

[cande86]

Anyway, on World Cup referees have been a little more strict to keep the player over controll right from the start, which is actually a good move in one direction.

ye, i believe that it has never happened in such an important event, football has absolutely changed, this really made the match at a level that is truly unworthy of a World Cup tie, but if this is the show, the level is truly low, let's hope for the next matches to come.

[Agbe]

Regarding the Mexico and South Africa match, I already knew that Mexico was going to win the match because I didn't expect them to allow a record like that to be beaten so easily. However, football cannot be predicted in some aspects when it comes to who is going to defeat the other, but with their performance, Mexico really shows that they deserve to win against South Africa and that is what they truly achieved.

I predicted here in the forum that Mexico would win the match because it would be a shameful thing for a hosting country to lose opening match. People are still predicting that South Africa will lose all there remaining matches in this group stage and come home on the 30rd of June. There is another opening match again tomorrow. USA vs Paraguay. This will be a tough match. I can't say USA will win or not.

[ndutndut]

Regarding the Mexico and South Africa match, I already knew that Mexico was going to win the match because I didn't expect them to allow a record like that to be beaten so easily. However, football cannot be predicted in some aspects when it comes to who is going to defeat the other, but with their performance, Mexico really shows that they deserve to win against South Africa and that is what they truly achieved.

Yesterday we finally witnessed the opening match of the 2026 World Cup between Mexico and South Africa which immediately signaled that this tournament could be very intense. The opening match alone was tense and full of drama. Furthermore, this opening match saw three red cards setting a new World Cup record. Three players were shown red cards Sithole and Themba from South Africa and Montes from Mexico. This made this match the highest number of red cards in a single World Cup opening match.

Yes, as the host Mexico was predicted to win especially since Mexico was very dominant in the match recording 16 shots 1.41 xG and 20 touches in the opponent's penalty box. Meanwhile, South Africa only managed three shots for 0.07 xG. For South Africa especially with a player like Sithole it would be a bitter match. Sithole not only received a red card but also made a mistake that led to Mexico first goal.

[Sithara007]

A few minutes back, Stake has changed the odds for the USA vs Paraguay match. Paraguay's odds changed from 3.80 to 4.18. And also, Stake has added a stat showing how many people are placing bets for each side. This is a new feature that they have added this time during the FIFA World Cup. As per the latest stats, 76% of the bets favor USA. My opinion is that this is a good opportunity to place a bet in Paraguay's favor. CONMEBOL is the strongest confederation without any doubt, while CONCACAF has given teams such as Haiti and Curaçao. I will not say that USA is as bad as Curaçao, but Paraguay's odds are not justified IMO. 

[Cyber_warrior]

Regarding the Mexico and South Africa match, I already knew that Mexico was going to win the match because I didn't expect them to allow a record like that to be beaten so easily. However, football cannot be predicted in some aspects when it comes to who is going to defeat the other, but with their performance, Mexico really shows that they deserve to win against South Africa and that is what they truly achieved.

I predicted here in the forum that Mexico would win the match because it would be a shameful thing for a hosting country to lose opening match. People are still predicting that South Africa will lose all there remaining matches in this group stage and come home on the 30rd of June. There is another opening match again tomorrow. USA vs Paraguay. This will be a tough match. I can't say USA will win or not.

Well Mexico didn’t win yesterday because they were a host country, we have seen host nations lose in their opening game of the tournament, Qatar lost their opening  game of 2022 World Cup. Honestly South African were just a poor side, they played poorly all game, they couldn’t even create a decent chance all game, I was beginning to wonder did they even prepare for this tournament.
After that perfect yesterday I don’t see South African beating any team from that group, both South Korea and Czech Republic are much of a decent team that them.

[el kaka22]

I do not think that Korea "played great to win" but more like Chechia ended up playing very bad and lost the game. It does not look like they are playing great to win and feels like there is a good chance they could end up losing more, if they keep this up, I think even getting out of group stages could be a trouble for them. Korea looked great and they will be out of group stages for sure now, I doubt anything shocking would happen for this to be not mean something for them.

Most teams in the group stages will be out with 3 points, of course there will be a few who may not, but many teams will have three points to go up so as long as you get one win, you have a big chance to get out. Korea will be one of them for sure in my mind, can't see them staying.

[Pandu Geddon]

After that perfect yesterday I don’t see South African beating any team from that group, both South Korea and Czech Republic are much of a decent team that them.

I agree with you. This will be a tough group stage for South Africa. We've already seen how South Korea and Czech Republic perform. If they play the same as before, it will be a tough competition for South Africa. Not to underestimate, but they might struggle to get points. But let's see if there will be any changes in their second match.

[JoyMarsha]

Anyway, on World Cup referees have been a little more strict to keep the player over controll right from the start, which is actually a good move in one direction.

ye, i believe that it has never happened in such an important event, football has absolutely changed, this really made the match at a level that is truly unworthy of a World Cup tie, but if this is the show, the level is truly low, let's hope for the next matches to come.

The next match to come, you and I are going to see more of the strict rules made by FIFA just for this World Cup. I think referees will all abide on them, to the rest of the World Cup matches.

What we just see in the match between Mexico and South Africa is one of the many strict rules made by FIFA. I will glad if you check for yourself, the FIFA rules for this World Cup, to see what to expect in matches to come

[aipercoin]

I watched the match the first half, to be honest and I have to say that there have been far more interesting and, above all, more exciting matches in the past.
I'd say Mexico deserved the three points, as they were the team that put in the most effort and their technical ability was clearly superior.

I also think he deserved the victory but it doesn't seem like a particularly difficult match. We need to see how he behaves against really strong teams.
In fact, the bookmakers give Mexico the winner in its group, not by chance i would say.
In any case, very beautiful and interesting.

[cxtreenal]

Regarding the Mexico and South Africa match, I already knew that Mexico was going to win the match because I didn't expect them to allow a record like that to be beaten so easily. However, football cannot be predicted in some aspects when it comes to who is going to defeat the other, but with their performance, Mexico really shows that they deserve to win against South Africa and that is what they truly achieved.

I predicted here in the forum that Mexico would win the match because it would be a shameful thing for a hosting country to lose opening match. People are still predicting that South Africa will lose all there remaining matches in this group stage and come home on the 30rd of June. There is another opening match again tomorrow. USA vs Paraguay. This will be a tough match. I can't say USA will win or not.

Mexico were the favourites in the match against South Africa and Mexico and they have the advantage as the home team. Mexico did not perform as well as expected because they did not score as many goals as they had. I had more expectations from South Africa because they have some promising players are capable of winning the match. The USA vs Paraguay match will be a great competition because how the visiting team plays against the home team is an important factor because Paraguay is a strong team but USA will be ahead as the home ground but I will bet on Paraguay.

[giammangiato]

We can say that he started well taking home the victory, in any case it was not a challenging match, let's put the reasoning that way.
Even if the teams present are all teams that in one way or another were selected and faced the selections to be there.
Mexico has a tough team, we'll see what they can do next time they play, the groups are all balanced and interesting enough to watch anyway.

[Volgastallion]

Horrible game played by the South Africa team they really deserve to lose , Mexico was not only the winner they were way better than them and they also deserve to win by a larger margin, i dont know what South Africa are gonna do in the next game but i feel like they are already out of this world cup playing like that.

[Lida93]

A few minutes back, Stake has changed the odds for the USA vs Paraguay match. Paraguay's odds changed from 3.80 to 4.18. And also, Stake has added a stat showing how many people are placing bets for each side. This is a new feature that they have added this time during the FIFA World Cup. As per the latest stats, 76% of the bets favor USA. My opinion is that this is a good opportunity to place a bet in Paraguay's favor. CONMEBOL is the strongest confederation without any doubt, while CONCACAF has given teams such as Haiti and Curaçao. I will not say that USA is as bad as Curaçao, but Paraguay's odds are not justified IMO. 

Maybe you don't seem to grasp why the many gamblers psychology are peddling in their bet in favour of the US over Paraguay who for their football records should be seen as the better side in this match. USA are the host country and that's an advantage for them as host country that they may not likely lose their first game  for some reasons I can't know. Maybe someone can risk it on Paraguay to win but they just have to do it with what won't be a nightmare for them if lost, because we don't really know who will win despite the over 76% bets stats for USA.

[Hyphen(-)]

I predicted here in the forum that Mexico would win the match because it would be a shameful thing for a hosting country to lose opening match. People are still predicting that South Africa will lose all there remaining matches in this group stage and come home on the 30rd of June. There is another opening match again tomorrow. USA vs Paraguay. This will be a tough match. I can't say USA will win or not.

I also don’t expect the host nation to lose their opening match because they have prepared really well for the tournament, that’s why I wasn’t surprised with the result of the opening match of the World Cup, and I am never in support of South Africa even in their remaining matches because these disciplines they have showed and received two red cards in one match means they have to work on their team.

Now that South Korea and Mexico has won their opening matches in group A, they have the chance to finish above South Africa and Czech Republic unless if they both lose their next match.

[bastisisca]

What a historic moment for the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening match; this has never happened before, and 3 red cards in that second half was surprising. I could stylishly agree with the South African side, as they are the defeated ones and might be under tension somehow. But what about César Montes with his shameful tackling of Khuliso Mudau at that crucial time?

The match was almost over and you've been leading with 2 goals already, so what could possibly go wrong to warrant your ousting out with a red card? That baffles me actually with the reasoning faculty of some people.

Anyway, nice one from Mexican team, and thanks for not ruining tickets.

When there are red cards, I'm sorry to say, it means that there is nervousness and there is no game or desire to play professionally.
There are no excuses, sport is not violence or playing unfairly.
With 3 cards you make it clear that it's not a sport for you.

[Sammye3]

Regarding the Mexico and South Africa match, I already knew that Mexico was going to win the match because I didn't expect them to allow a record like that to be beaten so easily. However, football cannot be predicted in some aspects when it comes to who is going to defeat the other, but with their performance, Mexico really shows that they deserve to win against South Africa and that is what they truly achieved.

I predicted here in the forum that Mexico would win the match because it would be a shameful thing for a hosting country to lose opening match. People are still predicting that South Africa will lose all there remaining matches in this group stage and come home on the 30rd of June. There is another opening match again tomorrow. USA vs Paraguay. This will be a tough match. I can't say USA will win or not.

Mexico won the game but the performance is a bit below my expectations. There would be matches where they play against teams like France, Spain, England and other top countries and I doubt that they could secure a win against any of this countries with such performance.

South Africa had a tough line even after the red cards and that was really impressive, they would need to work better on their attack and produce goals rather than focusing more on the defense.

[Bitcoin_people]

Today's World Cup match is Canada vs Bosnia, although we see the Canadian team as the favorite to win between these two teams. According to the betting odds between the two teams, it seems that the Canadian team has a higher chance, but only the team that can play strongly in the World Cup game will win. The Canadian team has better players and they are stronger than the Bosnian team, so maybe they will win today's match and collect their important three points. If Canada can collect three points today in the Group B stage, they will be ahead and their certainty will increase a lot for the next round, but I think these matches will not be very interesting, when the strong teams play, they will be much more competitive.

[Pumared]

Horrible game played by the South Africa team they really deserve to lose , Mexico was not only the winner they were way better than them and they also deserve to win by a larger margin, i dont know what South Africa are gonna do in the next game but i feel like they are already out of this world cup playing like that.

I agree, I expected more from them, but I think after the first goal they were already discouraged, and with the cards and the second goal, they sank even further. They still have a chance, but they need to play in a totally different way. In the press conference, the African coach said it was a game they could win. So, at least they are confident.

[pawanjain]

I also don’t expect the host nation to lose their opening match because they have prepared really well for the tournament, that’s why I wasn’t surprised with the result of the opening match of the World Cup, and I am never in support of South Africa even in their remaining matches because these disciplines they have showed and received two red cards in one match means they have to work on their team.

Now that South Korea and Mexico has won their opening matches in group A, they have the chance to finish above South Africa and Czech Republic unless if they both lose their next match.

Well, Mexico did play decently well considering it was their opening match and the host nation.
I believe they could have done a little better though. Header from Jimenez was a clean shot.
But Quinones stole the show with his quick response. The defender from Czechia did a rookie mistake of not looking behind.