Julian Quinones: Which club does first goalscorer of FIFA World Cup 2026 play for?

Julian Quinones scored early for Mexico in the FIFA World Cup 2026 match against South Africa.

Mexico began their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in the opening match against South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City tonight. The co-hosts, who began the match on the front foot, were given an early boost when winger Julian Quinones found the back of the net within just nine minutes.

The 29-year-old winger capitalised on a defensive mistake by the visitors. South Africa’s defence lost possession in front of their penalty area, and the ball was played to Quinones, whose fierce right-footed shot flew past a helpless Ronwen Williams.

The goal – the first of the expanded FIFA World Cup 2026 – sent the sold-out home crowd at the Azteca berserk.

Which club does Julian Quinones play for?

Quinones plays for Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League. He has been in terrific goal-scoring form, finishing as the league’s top scorer with 33 goals in just 31 appearances, topping the likes of Ivan Toney (32 goals) and Cristiano Ronaldo (28 goals).

Across all competitions, he has scored 37 goals in 35 matches while also registering four assists. Overall, he has averaged a goal every 83 minutes for Al-Qadsiah, helping them seal a top-four finish in the Saudi Pro League.

He seems to have carried this rich vein of form into the national team, netting what is his third goal for Mexico. He could have scored a second goal, striking the post with a good effort before half-time.

Tonight’s goal was Quinones’ first for El Tri since he scored in a friendly against Brazil in 2024. Interestingly, that goal came in the United States, who are one of the co-hosts of this year’s World Cup.

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