FIFA fever takes over Houston as World Cup kicks off: Live updates

Mexico made an immediate impression on the largest World Cup in history, giving the roaring home crowd at the iconic Azteca Stadium a huge jolt of excitement four years after a major disappointment.

Mexico's players understood the intense pressure and high expectations they faced on Thursday in the opening match of the first 48-team World Cup. But they embraced their role and got off to a winning start by beating South Africa 2-0 in a match that also produced three red cards.

Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored the goals for Mexico, which is co-hosting the 2026 tournament with Canada and the United States. With his goal, Jiménez moved into a tie with Jared Borgetti for second place in scoring for Mexico's national team. He is six goals shy of leader Javier "Chicharito" Hernández.

South Africa players Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were both given red cards, forcing the team to finish the match with only nine players. Mexico defender César Montes was then given a red card in injury time. It was the first time there were three red cards given in the opening match of a World Cup tournament.

Mexico now has three points in Group A and will play South Korea next Thursday in Guadalajara. South Africa will play the Czech Republic on the same day in Atlanta.

A coffee shop owner located near FIFA's Fan Festival told ABC13 that road closures were affecting his business.

The world's biggest sporting event has arrived in Houston, and fans are spending big around the matches, but not all business owners say they're raking in cash.

A coffee shop owner said the first day of the World Cup was one of his slowest days because road closures and limited parking kept customers away from his business on Hutchins Street in East Downtown.

"We aren't here to be kill-joys, but this is a really difficult process for us," Andreas Hager, Koffeteria co-owner, said. "We feel like we've been left out of the conversation."

Hutchins Street is right where Koffeteria's front doors are located, and it's also where many first responders are stationed.

Hager said he wants the city to consider improving access to his business and to others along the edge of the FIFA Fan Festival.

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Entry to the FIFA Fan Festival, the official watch party location for World Cup viewers in Houston, was temporarily paused due to capacity on the first day of the multi-country tournament.

FIFA World Cup Houston published the update on X as the first match of the World Cup between Mexico and South Africa kicked off on Thursday afternoon.

Officials encouraged fans to visit other locations and support local businesses to watch the match.

FIFA officials later updated that the gates reopened at 5:45 p.m. The closure lasted just over four hours, approximately the duration of the Mexico vs. South Africa match.

The Houston Fire Department said that there were 21 heat-related incidents at the FIFA Fan Festival, just east of downtown Houston on Thursday.

According to HFD, two people were taken to a hospital.

Organizers of the event previously said there would be misting zones, water stations, and shaded areas for fans to catch a break from the heat.