The men's football World Cup kicks off in Mexico

**Alex Ritson** (0:00)
This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Alex Ritson, and in the early hours of Friday, the 12th of June, these are our main stories. The FIFA World Cup kicks off in Mexico City with a star-studded ceremony and dramatic opening match. And President Trump says he's called off planned US attacks on Iran, claiming they're close to a peace deal. But Tehran says it hasn't reached a final decision.
Also in this podcast.

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**Alex Ritson** (0:48)
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With three host nations, 48 teams and 104 matches, it's the biggest World Cup ever. And likely one of the most controversial, with rouse over ticket prices, the ongoing war between the US and Iran, as well as visa issues for fans and even a prominent referee. Despite all that, the tournament got under way in Mexico City with great fanfare and a colourful opening ceremony featuring Shakira. Performers wore indigenous clothing, while others held giant golden footballs above their heads. 80,000 fans, clad in Mexican and South African national colours, streamed towards the grounds for the opening match.
As you can hear, there are a lot more Mexico supporters than South African, but that's to be expected. In one of the host countries, many there said the World Cup being played on Mexican soil was an honour.

**SPEAKER_3** (2:02)
Oh my God, it's honestly my dream come true. I've been dreaming of going to a World Cup for all my life and now that it's in my country.

**Mitten** (2:10)
It's an amazing experience. I know I was expecting this basically my whole life for a Mexico City opportunity for a World Cup. So I'm super excited.

**SPEAKER_5** (2:18)
I remember the first match I watched was South Africa against Mexico 16 years ago. I was nine years old and I felt that emotion being Mexican. The goal that Rafa Marquez scored and now to have it here in my country is really an honour.

**Alex Ritson** (2:35)
Those fans were no doubt thrilled when Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in a dramatic opener that saw three players sent off. Our sports reporter Adam Wild was watching.

**Adam Wild** (2:46)
It's been a long build up to this one hasn't it? So much discussion and controversy, but we are now officially underway on the pitch. A real carnival atmosphere as you were hearing some of the sounds there at the legendary Azteca Stadium. The first stadium to hold matches for three separate World Cup tournaments, a real display of colour, of sounds, of music, and Mexican and Latin American culture. The first of three opening ceremonies. Remember that, as you say, they are the tournament being played across Mexico, the United States and Canada. So each host country getting their own ceremony, this being Mexico's day.
More than 80,000 there watching, as you say, the likes of Shakira and Burnaby performing before the parade of all 48 team flags at this newly expanded tournament. That was what was going on inside the stadium. It's perhaps important to acknowledge what was happening outside as well because there was a huge security operation going on in and around Mexico City to counter the threat of protests. And indeed, in the last couple of hours, there's been a statement from the Secretariat of Citizen Security in Mexico saying that there was a situation involving nearly 200, what they call, hooded individuals, breaking away from a group of around 800 protestors. But that situation, says this statement, was brought under control by police. But certainly inside the stadium and at the enormous fan park there in the Mexican capital seems a real excitement and national pride, a huge moment to have the World Cup back in the country for a third time.

**Alex Ritson** (4:13)
Yeah, what a match to kick off the tournament. More red cards than goals.

**Adam Wild** (4:18)
Yeah, plenty of talking points. Mexico winning 2-0 against South Africa. They were heavy favorites going into what was a repeat of the opening game of the 2010 finals, actually, where South Africa were, of course, the hosts.
That's actually the last time South Africa were involved in a World Cup. It's a match, as you say, probably remembered by the three red cards. Julian Quinones putting Mexico ahead inside 10 minutes. In truth, South Africa rarely threatened, particularly after Yaya Sitole was sent off early in the second half. Mexico got their second through Raul Jimenez. A terrific story, really, for the 35-year-old, who, you may remember, suffered that really horrific, indeed life-threatening head injury whilst playing England a few years back. It's his fourth World Cup, but his first goal in the finals, and he looked really close to tears during those celebrations. It's really emotional. All over is a contest, other than two further red cards, one for Tember Zwane of South Africa and a late dismissal of Mexico's Cesar Montes. And it's the red cards that you say may well get the headlines, but some terrific scenes, particularly for him in it.