Day one review: Mexican protest, South Africa under fire, other dramas of 2026 World Cup
The first day of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has come and gone, and it delivered both on and off the pitch in Mexico. This tournament has been preceded by dramatic events and shocking incidents, and Daily Trust will review daily activities as nations begin their quest to capture the World Cup trophy in US, […]
The first day of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has come and gone, and it delivered both on and off the pitch in Mexico. This tournament has been preceded by dramatic events and shocking incidents, and Daily Trust will review daily activities as nations begin their quest to capture the World Cup trophy in US, Mexico and Canada.
Teachers, activists protest before opening match:
Before a ball was kicked, and while the duo of Shakira and Nigeria’s Burna boy prepared to serenade fans in the opening ceremony, protests rocked Mexico City, and specifically roads leading to the Azteca stadium, venue of the opening match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa.
Teachers used the global audience to demand better benefits, while activist groups also protested issues ordering on missing persons and recent violence in the country.
- June 12: Our Democracy has Failed the Ordinary Man – Shina Peller
- VDM-led Protest Against Insecurity gathers momentum in Abuja
Mexico, South Africa make history for different reasons:
Mexico won the opening match 2-0 and broke a 96 years jinx of not winning their opening fixture in any football tournament, thanks to Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez. The match also saw three red card, the first opening match to witness such in World Cup history. South Africa also created the ignominious record of the first country to receive two red cards in the opening match of a World Cup.
Africans troll South Africa on social media:
While the Bafana Bafana was losing to Mexico, social media was awash with jokes on the country’s poor display, red cards, and eventual defeat. The social media jokes were from Africa-based accounts, with Nigerian at the forefront. This stemmed from recent Xenophobia attack on foreign African nationals in South Africa- including Nigeria and Ghana- with Bafana Bafana the butt of jokes for their poor display.
Korea dominates Czech Republic:
South Korea came from a goal down to begin their tournament on a winning note, and it was a deserved victory for the Asians who had over 60% possession and did not crumble after going behind. Hwang In-Beom was the star for the Koreans with his equalizer and assist for substitute Oh Hyeun-Gyu’s wnner to punish the Czechs ten minutes to the end. South Korea has now defeated three European countries in consecutive World Cup matches for the first time ever, and become the only nation from outside Europe and South America to score eight goals through substitutes in World Cup history.