Three players receive red cards in World Cup 2026 opener
4 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 11, 2026, 11:13 PM
Last updated Jun 11, 2026
South Africa faced Mexico in the opening match of the World Cup 2026, with both teams experiencing significant disciplinary issues. South Africa finished the match with nine players after two players received straight red cards in the second half, following a goal by Julian Quinones early in the game. Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off for fouls that denied goal-scoring opportunities, while Mexico's Cesar Montes was also dismissed late in the game for a cynical challenge. This match marks the first World Cup opener in history to see three players sent off, and all will miss their respective teams' next matches.
- •South Africa and Mexico faced off in the World Cup 2026 opener on June 11.
- •Julian Quinones scored for Mexico in the 8th minute.
- •South Africa received two red cards in the second half.
- •Cesar Montes of Mexico was sent off in the dying minutes.
- •All three dismissed players will miss their next matches.
- 11:13 PMBBC Sport — Three red cards - are referees getting tough at this World Cup?
- 10:35 PMYahoo Sports — 3 red cards mar opening World Cup match between Mexico and South Africa
- 9:25 PMYahoo Sports — Three red cards in the World Cup’s opening game – why were the players sent off?
"The opening match of the World Cup delivered a rarity in international soccer: three players sent off with red cards. No World Cup match has had that many players ejected since a 2006 game between Portugal and the Netherlands, when four players received red cards — a World Cup record.
"Three players were sent off in the World Cup opener as Mexico beat South Africa 2-0. Are we about to see a World Cup littered with red cards?
"Bafana Bafana had two men sent off and Mexico another as the World Cup kicked off with a bang
Sources
External links- BBC SportJun 11, 2026, 11:13 PMThree red cards - are referees getting tough at this World Cup?
Three players were sent off in the World Cup opener as Mexico beat South Africa 2-0. Are we about to see a World Cup littered with red cards?
- Yahoo SportsJun 11, 2026, 10:35 PM3 red cards mar opening World Cup match between Mexico and South Africa
The opening match of the World Cup delivered a rarity in international soccer: three players sent off with red cards. No World Cup match has had that many players ejected since a 2006 game between Portugal and the Netherlands, when four players received red cards — a World Cup record.
- Yahoo SportsJun 11, 2026, 9:25 PMThree red cards in the World Cup’s opening game – why were the players sent off?
Bafana Bafana had two men sent off and Mexico another as the World Cup kicked off with a bang
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