World Cup 2026 kicks off in Mexico City with star-studded opening ceremony

The 2026 FIFA World Cup opened in spectacular fashion on Thursday, June 11, as Mexico City's Estadio Azteca played host to a vibrant ceremony before the tournament's first match between Mexico and South Africa.

Colombian superstar Shakira and Nigerian Afrofusion artist Burna Boy headlined the event, performing their official tournament anthem "Dai Dai" in front of more than 80,000 fans inside the historic venue.

They were joined by a diverse lineup of international and regional acts, including Maná, J Balvin, Belinda, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, and South African singer Tyla, who performed her country's national anthem before kickoff.

Ranchera icon Alejandro Fernández delivered Mexico's anthem on the field of a stadium that hosted World Cup matches in 1970 and 1986, including the legendary performances of Pelé and Diego Maradona.

Mexican actress Salma Hayek, serving as the tournament's official ambassador, acted as honorary host for the ceremony, greeting the crowd and global audience from the pitch.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was notably absent from the match, having given her ticket to a young fan through a national contest.

This year's World Cup is the third hosted by Mexico, though the country shares duties with the United States and Canada for the first time. The 48-team tournament runs through July 19.