Key events

12m agoPFA declines to end legal action versus Fifa
35m agoClashes turn violent near Azteca
45m agoEmpty seats raise concerns about ticket costs
1h agoPreamble

Mexico secured a 2-0 win over South Africa but Pablo Iglesias Maurer notes the tale behind the co-hosts first triumph remains complex. Fans even jeered El Tri at 2-0 when the side failed to build on their lead versus a weak South Africa. Yet amid the tension inside and especially outside the Azteca a lovely moment unfolded when supporters sang together after the final whistle.

PFA declines to end legal action versus Fifa

Matt Hughes

Matt Hughes shares a key update here. The Professional Footballers Association will not drop its lawsuit against Fifa even though the worldwide players union Fifpro ended its own complaint against the body earlier this week.

Gianni Infantino surprised many at his pre-World Cup media briefing by revealing Fifa had agreed a fresh memorandum of understanding with Fifpro. This grants Fifpro a voice in talks with Fifa plus veto power on matters like transfer rules and player well-being. In exchange Fifpro has ended its legal challenges including a case filed two years ago at the European Commission alleging Fifa misused its power and broke EU law.

The Guardian understands the PFA remains unhappy with the current MOU and will keep its claim active until Fifa provides clear plans for the global schedule beyond 2030. Besides the European Commission matter the PFA also has a case in the Brussels Court of Commerce.

The post-2030 schedule stands as the next big topic in football though Fifa seems set to delay detailed talks with partners until after its leadership vote next year when Infantino aims for another four-year term.

The PFA worries most about Fifa plans to grow the Club World Cup to 48 clubs and the issues from holding the 2034 Saudi Arabia World Cup during the European winter.

Effects will likely hit PFA members hardest since the Premier League calendar ranks among the toughest.

A PFA source noted We have secured major gains yet we cannot yield on vital issues like the schedule. The MOU marks progress and improves governance but we require a calendar fix before ending our claim.

Excellent images appear here. View our photo collection showing the opening event and Mexico 2-0 victory over South Africa.

How did the opening event come across? It proved quite entertaining. Shakira and Burna Boy performed well and the large FIFA World Cup centerpiece stood out. I spent time quizzing my children about performers and they were equally unsure. Luckily the Guardian music expert Alexis Petridis watched and offers his take. Since much featured local artists my lack of recognition feels understandable.

Clashes turn violent near Azteca

Mexico opening World Cup win celebration faced disruption from violent clashes outside Azteca Stadium. Fans without tickets and demonstrators tried to enter while rocks and bottles flew toward police at gate eight. Local reports noted dozens of arrests followed.

Empty seats raise concerns about ticket costs

Did the official crowd for South Korea versus Czechia match what viewers saw? FIFA listed 44,985 attendees for Thursday World Cup match in Guadalajara yet many vacant seats across the venue revived worries over ticket prices and interest in the larger 48-team event.

Reuters adds more:

Over 80,000 packed the Azteca for the opener between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa but empty sections at the 46,000-seat Guadalajara ground in a city known for football passion have fueled criticism of FIFA commercial approach for this expanded World Cup.

Some attendees pointed to high ticket prices as the cause of empty rows and faulted FIFA pricing approach.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the ticket costs on Wednesday after fans complained the expense had grown too high. He stated prices aligned with other major sports events.

FIFA has sold over six million tickets and noted strong demand from the Americas with Infantino claiming interest surpassed expectations by a factor of 10 or more.

Yet groups like Football Supporters Europe warned that steep pricing would keep out regular fans. FSE reports ticket costs for this event rose five times compared to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Reuters reached out to FIFA for comment.

Start with the two match reports. The first game featured more red cards than goals while South Korea mounted a strong comeback in the second.

Mexico 2-0 South Africa - Jonathan Wilson reported from the Azteca.

South Korea 2-1 Czechia in Guadalajara.

Preamble

Two matches done 102 remain! Supporters of Mexico and South Korea received good news this morning while fans of South Africa and Czechia did not. Even with early data stats circulate widely online with the red card total already nearly matching all of Qatar 2022. Whether this continues remains unclear. Attendance figures also draw attention and more details follow soon.

After Mexico featured on Thursday the other two co-hosts play on day two of World Cup 2026. Canada faces Bosnia and Herzegovina in Group B while the USA hosts Paraguay in Group D with that match airing early Saturday for UK audiences. Credit to those who have followed the first two games fully.

Five goals three red cards an opening ceremony and more await discussion. No pauses here so onward we go!