2026 World Cup Kicks Off with Grand Ceremony in Mexico City

The highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be the largest in history, officially got underway on Thursday with a vibrant opening ceremony at the historic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Thousands of fans filled the legendary venue, which has undergone significant renovations in preparation for the global spectacle. The event marked a momentous occasion, as Azteca becomes the first stadium ever to host three World Cup opening fixtures, having previously done so in 1970 and 1986.

The pre-match festivities were a star-studded affair, featuring a lineup of musical talent that captivated the more than 80,000 attendees. Mexican pop-rock band Mana set the stage, followed by performances from Venezuelan singer Danny Ocean and Mexico's own Belinda. Colombian superstar J Balvin also delivered an extended set. A highlight of the evening was the performance of the official World Cup song, 'Dai Dai,' by four-time Grammy winner Shakira, who shared the stage with Nigerian singer Burna Boy, electrifying the crowd under the gaze of a massive World Cup trophy replica.

Following the elaborate ceremony, co-host Mexico took to the pitch to face South Africa in the tournament's inaugural match. This 2026 edition is unique, expanding to 48 teams and being jointly hosted across North America by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For Mexico, this marks their eighth World Cup opening game; their previous seven have seen them record five losses and two draws, including a notable draw against South Africa in the 2010 World Cup.