The 2026 FIFA World Cup began in Mexico City on Thursday ahead of the tournament’s first match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa, and Nigerian Afrobeats artist Burna Boy and Colombian pop diva Shakira lit up the Estadio Azteca, according to The PUNCH.
The pair’s performance of “Dai Dai,” the tournament’s official song, was the high point of a vibrant opening ceremony that also included performances by notable figures in Mexican music, such as Alejandro Fernandez, Lila Downs, and Belinda.
Fireworks illuminated the historic 80,000-seat stadium, which has been rebuilt for this year’s competition, as dancers whirled around a massive facsimile of the World Cup trophy.
One of football’s most iconic locations, the Estadio Azteca previously hosted the World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986, which were graced by Pele and Diego Maradona, respectively. On Thursday, Mexico became the first country to host the tournament three times.Being the first World Cup to have 48 teams, the 2026 edition is historic in and of itself. There will be 104 matches in the extended event, which will be co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. The final is set for July 19 in New Jersey.
Scenes outside the stadium were much less orderly than the festive atmosphere inside.
Ahead of the 6 p.m. GMT kickoff, thousands of supporters tried to reach the official fan zone in Zocalo Plaza, but metal barriers installed to keep protesting teachers out of the area made it difficult for them to do so.While some supporters sang in favor of the Mexican squad, others tossed water bottles and insulted the police.
Eventually, local authorities diverted spectators to other city plazas after announcing on social media that the fan zone was packed.
After days of teacher protests calling for salary increases, President Claudia Sheinbaum, who was supposed to watch the game at the fan zone, questioned her attendance.
Gilberto Mora, a 17-year-old who is the youngest player in the competition, was one of Mexico’s substitutions, adding a subplot to the event.
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