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While the 2-0 scoreline was hardly dreadful‚ South Africa suffered two red cards and their error-strewn performance gave much cause for consternation. That's why Benni McCarthy‚ Quinton Fortune‚ and Aaron Mokoena fell silent on South African television as they were asked what had gone wrong.
The 35-year-old is angry and feels betrayed by Wolves. Edwards being in charge was key to his decision to join the club last week. Several Molineux players have reached out directly to the 43-year-old Edwards to express their dismay at the decision. Trippier cut short a holiday in Turkey to have a medical and sign for Wolves earlier this week. The former England full back was viewed as an important signing by Edwards‚ who was eager to add the defender to his dressing room. As was Mexico's Raul Jimenez‚ who signed this week and scored in his country's World Cup win over South Africa on Thursday night.
OLIVER HOLT IN MEXICO CITY: For all the strife‚ greed‚ grift and grandstanding that has pockmarked the build-up to this tournament‚ for all the claims of betrayal and desecration its troubled cradling has provoked‚ the 2026 World Cup began with a blessing in the Azteca Stadium on Thursday afternoon. All the controversy was swept away for a little while as the tournament dawned in a magnificent cathedral of football that has witnessed some of the World Cup's most beautiful moments and provided the stage for some of its greatest heroes. As Mexico and South Africa took to the pitch here just before 1pm‚ it was impossible not to stare down at that hallowed expanse of turf and imagine Pele standing on the edge of the area and playing the most exquisite simple square pass that has ever been played and Carlos Alberto running on to it and smashing it into the goal.
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score‚ team news and updates as Mexico vs South Africa kicks off the 2026 World Cup following the opening ceremony.
The World Cup finally gets underway this evening as Mexico take on South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Good morning and welcome to Daily Mail Sport's first World Cup Breakfast for this year's showpiece. The tournament begins later on Thursday evening when co-hosts Mexico face South Africa at 8pm (BST). So ahead of the grand opening‚ here is what you may have missed on the eve of World Cup. World Cup Breakfast is your one-stop shop for all the key things that happened overnight in North America‚ Mexico and Canada.
The 2026 World Cup is on the horizon‚ with the opening game set to take place on Thursday as Mexico welcome South Africa in the opener of the 23rd edition of football's greatest tournament. The stage is set and for many young players it is a chance to shine. However‚ this year's global tournament will also serve as a curtain call for some of football's biggest stars. Among those set to play at their last World Cup finals this summer are Premier League greats‚ titans of the international game‚ and even former World Cup winners.
McKenzie to lodge complaint with Sundowns
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