2026 World Cup Opening Match Sees Three Red Cards, Sparking Debate

Mexico City. The days when many red cards were seen in the World Cup football were thought to be history. However, the first match of the 2026 World Cup has proven this assumption wrong. The football world has started a new debate after seeing three red cards in the opening match itself. In the match played on Thursday, Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0, but more than the result of the match, the referee's decision and the red cards became the topic of discussion.

In the course of the game, South Africa's YaYa Sithole and Themba Zwane had to leave the field, and in the final moments of the game, Mexico's Cesar Montes was also sent off with a red card. In the last two World Cups held in Russia (2018) and Qatar (2022), only four red cards were given throughout the entire tournament. However, with three red cards already shown in the first match this time, the previous record appears to be in danger.