Shakira and Burna Boy headlined a spectacular opening ceremony at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca as the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially got under way ahead of the tournament’s opening match between hosts Mexico and South Africa.
The Colombian pop superstar and Nigerian Afrobeats sensation brought the 80,000-capacity stadium to life with a performance of “Dai Dai”, the tournament’s official anthem, in front of a global audience.
The colourful ceremony also featured performances from some of Mexico’s most celebrated artists, including Alejandro Fernandez, Lila Downs and Belinda, while dancers performed around a giant replica of the World Cup trophy and fireworks illuminated the night sky above the iconic venue.
“This is a celebration of football, culture and unity,” organisers said as the tournament kicked off in one of the sport’s most historic stadiums.
The occasion marked another milestone for the Estadio Azteca, which became the first stadium to host World Cup matches across three different editions of the tournament, having previously staged the finals in 1970 and 1986. Mexico also became the first country to host the men’s World Cup on three occasions.
This year’s competition is historic in its own right, with FIFA expanding the tournament to 48 teams for the first time. Co-hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada, the competition will feature a record 104 matches before concluding with the final in New Jersey later this month.
While celebrations unfolded inside the stadium, authorities faced challenges outside as thousands of supporters gathered around Mexico City’s central Zocalo plaza to watch the opening match.
Crowds surged towards the official fan zone, with access restricted by metal barriers erected amid ongoing teachers’ protests demanding higher wages. Some supporters threw water bottles and shouted insults at police officers as congestion increased around entry points.
Officials later announced on social media that the fan zone had reached full capacity and urged supporters to use alternative viewing locations across the city.
The demonstrations also cast uncertainty over the attendance of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who had been expected to watch the opening game from the fan zone.
Adding further intrigue to the tournament’s opening day, Mexico named 17-year-old Gilberto Mora among their substitutes, making him the youngest player at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The teenager’s inclusion underlined the sense of anticipation surrounding a tournament expected to break several records both on and off the pitch.
