“It wasn’t a top-level match”: Klopp slams the 2026 World Cup opening game between Mexico and South Africa

On Thursday evening (9pm), Mexico and South Africa faced off in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup. Although the match was preceded by a superb opening ceremony and ended with a victory for El Tricolor (2-0) in a roaring Azteca stadium, it did not captivate Jürgen Klopp, former Liverpool manager.

Jürgen Klopp doesn't mince words. While the 2026 World Cup kicked off with an opening victory (2-0) for Mexico (one of the host countries) against South Africa in a match marked by three red cards, the legendary Liverpool manager frankly expressed his views on the quality of the match.

"This situation pretty much sums up the match. Tactically, it was simply bad! Neither team played well. With eleven against nine, they catch you off guard on the counter-attack."

"Why? Because the defense was too deep. It was a recurring problem throughout the match. South Africa didn't take advantage of it at all. It wasn't a high-level match," he criticized on the ZDF set, in comments relayed by Bild.

"It was more like a charity match."

In his analysis, Klopp refers to the tactical approach adopted after the two red cards received by Bafana Bafana in the second half (Sithole 50' and Zwane 84'). César Montes was also forced to leave the field after a strong challenge in the dying moments of the match (90+2').

Also present to offer his perspective on the match, 2014 World Cup winner Christoph Kramer was equally critical. "There was an electric atmosphere (around the match), and I expected a similar intensity and more open spaces. I thought the match would then come down to individual battles, which wasn't the case. It's good that they're playing there, but it felt more like a charity match."

In their next match in this first World Cup expanded to 48 teams, Mexico will face South Korea on Friday, June 19 at 3:00 AM (French time). South Africa, meanwhile, will take on the Czech Republic on Thursday, June 18 at 6:00 PM.