![Hon. Festus Keyamo SAN arrives MMIA past 11:50 p.m. Feb 23 to lead oversight of Terminal 1 fire. Joined FAAN MD & team actively managing situation. Directed morning inspection Tuesday to guide restoration & confirm safety standards. Reaffirmed focus on passenger safety. Story: [link] #KeyamoMMIA #FireIncident #FAAN](https://fullcliphq.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mym-150x150.jpg "MMIA Fire: Keyamo Inspects Lagos Airport After Terminal 1 Blaze Disrupts Flights")
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first expanded 48-team tournament, got underway on June 11 with co-host Mexico defeating South Africa 2-0 at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, while South Korea came from behind to beat Czech Republic 2-1 in Guadalajara.
Mexican forward Julián Quiñones scored the tournament’s first goal in the 9th minute, pouncing on a defensive error after Érik Lira won the ball high up the pitch. Veteran striker Raúl Jiménez added a second goal in the 67th minute with a powerful header, securing a comfortable victory for El Tri in front of more than 80,000 passionate fans. The match was marked by disciplinary chaos, with three red cards issued – two to South African players Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane, and one to Mexico’s César Montes in stoppage time.
South Korea showed resilience in the day’s second Group A fixture at Estadio Akron. Czech Republic took the lead in the 59th minute through captain Ladislav Krejčí, but Hwang In-beom equalised in the 67th minute before assisting substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu, who scored the winner in the 80th minute. Son Heung-min’s side dominated possession and capitalised on their depth off the bench.
The result extends Mexico’s strong historical record against African teams and gives co-hosts an ideal start at the Estadio Azteca, which is now the first venue to host three World Cup openers (1970, 1986, and 2026). Javier Aguirre’s team displayed the intensity and creativity needed for a deep run on home soil.
South Korea’s comeback victory reinforces their reputation for strong tournament starts and positions them as serious contenders in a competitive group. Both teams now prepare for tougher tests, with Mexico facing South Korea next in a high-stakes clash.
The opening day delivered celebration, drama, and high stakes, setting an exciting tone for the record-breaking tournament across North America. With the expanded format offering more opportunities for progression, Group A has already produced competitive balance and memorable moments.