Popovic agrees to Socceroos contract extension

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• Mexico 2-0 South Africa FULL-TIME
• Three red cards, Quiñones and Raul Jimenez with goals
• Korea Rep 2-1 Czechia FULL-TIME

World Cup daily news. We will bring you the latest from around the world as the FIFA World Cup 2026™ finally gets under way. (All times AEST)

Daily wrap

Day 1 of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ has come to a close!

• Group A action:

Mexico 2-0 South Africa

Goals: J.Quinones (9'), R.Jimenez (67')

Red Cards: S.Sithole (SA, 49'), T.Zwane (SA, 84'), C.Montes (MEX, 90+2')

Man of the Match: J.Quinones (MEX)

• Gilberto Mora became the sixth youngest player in World Cup history at just 17yrs, seven months old.
• Mexico are now unbeaten in all of their last eight World Cup openers.
• Three red cards in the opening match, Qatar 2022 saw just four reds across the entire tournament.

South Korea 2-1 Czechia

Goals: L.Krejci (CZE, 59'), I.Hwang (SK, 67'), H.Oh, (SK, 80')

Man of the Match: I.Hwang (SK)

• Czechia manager Miroslav Koubek became the oldest manager in World Cup history, overtaking South Africa's Hugo Broos - who held the record for a matter of hours.
• Feyenoord midfielder In-Beom Hwang contributed with a goal and assist from midfield.

Table following GW1:

Group A

1. | Mexico | 1 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
2. | South Korea | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
3. | Czechia | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
4. | South Africa | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 |

Tony Popovic signs on to lead the Socceroos through to 2027

Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic has agreed to a contract extension, seeing him through until the end of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

Just two days out from Australia's 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against Turkiye, Popovic has extended his stay with the side having managed Australia to automatic qualification into the major tournament for the first time since 2014.

Making 58 caps as a Socceroo during his playing days, Popovic is the first individual to have represented the Socceroos as both a player and a manager across the nation's history.

In his 18 games in charge, Popovic has guided the Socceroos to 10 wins and four losses.

“I’m delighted that I will continue to coach the Socceroos through to the AFC Asian Cup 2027,” Popovic said.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to lead the Socceroos, and it is a role that I thoroughly enjoy and one I have never taken for granted.

“My absolute focus right now is on the FIFA World Cup 2026. I’m proud to lead my country into a World Cup, but most importantly, I want to ensure that our team is fully prepared and focused on our group matches against Türkiye, the United States, and Paraguay.

“From the moment I took over, I have tried to factor in the long-term interests of the Socceroos while ensuring that we achieve the short-term results, which in the first instance was qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026.”

__Infantino explains his "chill" remarks over denied Somalian referee __

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has explained his “chill” statement regarding the denial of Somali referee Omar Artan.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Infantino addressed the US’ decision to reject Artan’s entry, with the national security claiming links to a terrorist organisation.

Speaking on opening day, Infantino explained his “chill, relax” remark, stating that FIFA is doing everything they can do separate politics from the world’s game.

“In 2035, the Women’s World Cup will be in the UK, it looks like,” Infantino said.

“Would you find it normal that FIFA would dictate to the British government who to let in the country and who not to let in the country? I don’t know. Maybe? Maybe you find it normal.

“I would like, personally, on the other side, the reality of the matter is that in every country, there are governments.

“Try to get into the UK, into Germany, into Switzerland without a VISA, try to get a VISA… it’s not easy, is what I am trying to say.

“It’s not easy when you have 300,000 accredited people, majority of which are from outside of the US, to process then, to let them… unfortunately our world is a very aggressive world.

“Security rules over everything, and you need to respect the decisions which have taken.

“When I say to chill, I don’t mean to chill and do nothing, I mean to trust us, that we are working behind the scenes. We are trying to understand.

“There are things we can know, things we cannot know. Things we are told, things we are not told. We always try to make the situation as positive as possible and to find a solution.

“Sometimes, we manage. Other times, not.

“I think it has already been successful to bring Iran to play in America. I don’t know who would have managed to do that.

“Of course, everyone here believes it’s the right thing to do, but again, we don’t live on the moon, we live on planet Earth, and you have to deal with different situations.

“We try to do our best, and I hope we will have some good news.”

FULL TIME!

South Korea have come out on top, battling from behind to win 2-1 in Guadalajara!

A frantic contest from start to finish, Czechia opened the scoring against the grain, but it was South Korea that pulled away for a crucial victory!

Midfielder In-Beom Hwang pulled the strings with a goal and assist, as South Korea slot into second place in Group A after today's first day of FIFA World Cup action!

South Korea will next face Mexico, with the winner guaranteed a place in the Round of 32!

GOAL!

SOUTH KOREA LEADS IN GUADALAJARA!

It's substitute Hyun-Gyu Oh who finds the back of the net!

A rapid attack by the South Koreans, goalscorer In-Beom Hwang found the ball on the wing, sending a dangrerous ball into the six yard box for Oh to finish!

2-1, nine minutes to go!

Goal... DENIED!

A lovely set piece sent into the box found the head off Tomas Soucek, hammering one home to give Czechia a 2-1 advantage... but it's offside!

Great defensive coordination by South Korea, as Soucek finds himself a yard offside.

Well picked up by the linesman, the score remains 1-1 with 10 minutes to play!

GOAL!

The game has well and truly opened up here as South Korea equalise!

Just eight minutes after Czechia took the lead, a smooth attack saw Kang-In Lee slide a lovely ball in to midfielder In-Beom Hwang, lofting one over the keeper to level proceedings!

1-1 after 67 minutes!

GOAL!

Czechia take the lead!

A long throw in from the right wing floated into the box, with captain Ladislav Krejci connecting with the ball to head it past goalkeeper Seung-Gyu Kim!

1-0 Czechia after 60 minutes, can South Korea respond?

HALF TIME

Neither side has managed to break the deadlone, with South Korea and Czechia entering half time at 0-0.

Plenty of chances either end - South Korea have had the majority of play in attack, with Heung Min Son controlling play in the front half.

An entertaining half with everything but goals.

Game 2 LIVE!

South Korea versus Czechia is underway in Guadalajara!

South Korea enter as slight favourites, entering the World Cup as the world number 25 led by LAFC and former Tottenham star Heung Min Son.

Leverkusen's Patrik Schick leads 40th ranked Czechia.

11:40am Free tickets being handed out

Lock in an AirBNB if you're in America for the World Cup.

In the latest twist to the ticketing farce that has marred the tournament, FIFA have now realised they have almost 180k tickets unsold, so they're being given out for FREE.

AirBNB has this morning announced a partnership with the governing body that will see select properties in host cities come with free match tickets.

Anyone on the hunt needs to look for listings with a football icon visible.

“Airbnb hosts don’t just offer you a place to stay — they provide a more authentic way to experience a destination,” Chief Business Officer Dave Stephenson said in a statement.

“And this World Cup, they’re doing something extraordinary: helping fans follow their teams wherever the tournament takes them, with select homes including free tickets in every host city.”

____ 11:01am Haiti forced to late change over "political statement"__ __

Haiti have been forced to change their kit just days out from their opening clash because FIFA deemed an image "too political".

The design is believed to have depicted soldiers carrying the Polish national flag in a dedication to those who defected during the Haitian Revolution from 1802-04.

“The final design presented by Saeta was intended as a tribute to the men and women who contribute every day to Haiti’s future and was not intended as a political statement,” read a statement from manufacturer Saeta Sports.

“During the review process, FIFA determined that certain visual elements could be interpreted differently under its equipment regulation and ultimately requested modifications to our design.

“While this interpretation differed from our intention, Saeta respected the process and implemented the final requirements communicated by FIFA.”

Haiti open their campaign against Scotland on Sunday.

1025am Australia fans, ready your wallets.

Leaked photos from the stadium where the Socceroos will play their second World Cup group clash against co-hosts USA have been leaked and they show just how expensive the food and drink is.

Aussie sports fans would be accustomed top paying around about the $12 mark for a beer at a sporting event; at the Seattle Stadium where Tony Popovic and his men will play next Saturday a can of Stella Artois will set you back $27 for a pint!

Local beer is a fraction less coming in at $25 for about a pint.

Don’t be thinking fans can avoid ludicrous prices just by staying off the booze. A bottle of water is about $15.

Hungry? A bag of nuts will cost you $12.75, a pretzel $20 and a churro just over $15.

Who said fans were being priced out of it all?

RAINING REDS

The last two World Cups had four red cards apiece - across the entire tournaments.

This year's edition has seen three in the opening match. It was raining tarjetas rojas in Mexico as the co-hosts defeated South Africa 2-0 in their opening clash.

More red cards than goals, that's right.

Sithole went first as they trailed 0-1 before South Africa were reduced to 9 men when Zwane was dismissed. Mexico then lost Montes with eight minutes left.

It's the first time one team has copped two reds in a match since both Netherlands and Portugal received a pair in 2006.

For context, there were four red cards across the entire tournament in Qatar 2022.

A THIRD RED CARD!

This time it's a Mexican player and the ref is dishing them out like lollies but it's fair refereeing when you break it down.

It was a goal scoring opportunity, no penalty given, a free kick outside the box and it's well and truly wasted.

Cesar Montes leaves the field after a sloppy swipe on Khuliso Mudau.

It's raining reds and it's 9 v 10 in Mexico but only for a few minutes before the final whistle.

What an opener! More tarjetas rojas than goals!

JUBILANT INSIDE, RIOTS OUTSIDE

A very different scene outside the Azteca Stadium during and after the opening match of the tournament.

Riot police clashed with protestors as rocks and Molotov cocktails were thrown.

Numerous arrests were reported as well as injuries.

“Following the events that occurred in the vicinity of the Estadio De México, in which nearly 200 hooded individuals who broke away from two groups of around 800 protesters, the situation was brought under control by personnel from the Metropolitan Police,” the force said.

SIXTH YOUNGEST

Mexico's Gilberto Mora became the sixth youngest player to appear at a World Cup.

At 17 years and 240 days he sits behind the likes of Pele, Samuel Eto'o and Norman Whiteside.

SECOND GOAL FOR MEXICO!

And it's the veteran striker Raul Jimenez who has netted his first World Cup goal.

The 35-year-old talisman headed home a Roberto Alvarado cross at the back post in the 67th minute.

It was his 46th international goal which has him sitting alongside Jared Borgetti and behind only Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez who leads the nation with 52.

A SECOND RED CARD!

VAR has its first victim of the tournament. A review of something that happened off the ball between Themba Zwane and Mexico winger Roberto Alvarado was re-watched numerous times and it's been decided the hand to the face was enough to be dismissed.

Unprecedented scenes with South Africa down to nine men with around 10 minutes to play including injury time.

He joins Yaya Sithole in the rooms.

2006 was the last time we had multiple red cards in a game, it was four reds in the Portugal v Holland round 16 clash.

5:45am Liverpool star forced out of World Cup

You have to feel for Japan captain Wataru Endo who has been forced to pull out of the World Cup just three days form his side's opening clash because of injury.

Moreover, the Liverpool star has subsequently announced his international retirement at 33 years-old.

"As announced, I will be stepping away from the World Cup squad," Endo wrote on social media.

"Of course, there's frustration at not being able to participate in this World Cup, but more than that, I'm proud of how we've grown together since the Qatar World Cup -- me as captain, leading this team and turning our goal of 'winning the World Cup' into something we can say as a matter of course.

"The current team is truly a wonderful team. I believe they will overcome any adversity and show us sights we've never seen before.

"With this campaign, I will be retiring from the national team. So from here on, I'll be cheering for the Japan national team as one of the fans. The moment when the Japan national team wins the World Cup will surely come some day. Let's believe in that and cheer them on together.

"And let's unite Japan's strength as one so that moment comes in this tournament --everyone, let's take on the North and Central America World Cup together!! Everyone, give it everything you've got."

Japan open their campaign against Holland.

Endo is not alone in heading home.

Just a day after signing for Tottenham, Marcos Senesi has been called up to replace the injured Leonardo Balerdi in Argentina's 26-player World Cup roster.

Balerdi's campaign was ended after he sustained a right leg injury.

Argentina get started against Algeria on June 16.

6:16am RED CARD!

Chaos for South Africa! The threat has been there since the first goal and you have to feel for Yaya Sithole who had very few options there.

Mexico gets a free kick just outside the area after their man pulled down Gutierrez and it's well handled... but South Africa with a mountain to climb in this now. Down to 10 men.

What a day for Sithole, he was the one that conceded possession for Mexico's goal in the first half.

5:15am ENGLAND BAN

The Ben Stokes effect is taking over in Florida where Tomas Tuchel has issued his players with a travel ban. The squad have been granted down time with their families ahead of their opening match against Croatia, but according to reports from the UK, all players are under strict instructions not to follow in the pathway of the national cricket captain.

Stokes has made headlines for all the wrong reasons this week after it emerged he was involved in an incident at a London nightclub after his side's victory over new Zealand at Lord's.

England players (football) are no stranger to becoming the headline at a World Cup, so when asked about regulation and restrictions, Tuchel said: "They can’t take a flight. They can almost do what they want but we said no flights because hopefully we have a lot of flights through the tournament.

“No one has asked for a flight. They are adults, they are determined as well so the trust is not only a one-way street. We expect them to live up to the trust, the responsibility we give them.

"Everything I have seen of them is a determined group who have a dream but know what it takes and I have full belief and trust that they will not gamble on that.”

OPENING GOAL!

And what a goal it was! Mexico take the lead in the opening match of the tournament against South Africa, the mariachi band is playing and the stadium is shaking. Julián Quiñones with the opening goal of the 2026 World Cup and that's one to put in the memory bank for trivia nights in the coming weeks.

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