Ahead of the first match, global music stars delivered a vibrant show at Estadio Azteca as fans celebrated the start of football's biggest tournament.
Ahead of the first match, global music stars delivered a vibrant show at Estadio Azteca as fans celebrated the start of football's biggest tournament. Shakira and Nigerian singer Burna Boy had the spectators out of their seats in the opening ceremony for the 2026 World Cup in the Estadio Azteca on Thursday, ahead of the opening match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa.
The 48-team tournament is also being hosted by the United States and Canada and will feature 104 games, culminating in the final in New Jersey on July 19. Dancers twirled around a giant model of the World Cup trophy while fireworks went off in the historic 80,000-capacity stadium, which hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals and has been renovated for this year's tournament.
In the highlight of the ceremony, Colombian star Shakira and Burna Boy performed "Dai Dai", the official song of the tournament, bringing roars from the crowd. J Balvin and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli were among the other performers before kickoff as the noise levels ramped up.
Infantino defends World Cup ticket prices, says 'we don't control everything' after US visa denialsFIFA World Cup's largest edition set for kickoff2026 World Cup opener: Mexico vs South Africa — Classic big dogs vs underdogs showdown at AztecaWhile there was a festive atmosphere inside the stadium, there were chaotic scenes in the centre of Mexico City where thousands of fans pushed and shoved as they attempted to enter the official World Cup fan zone shortly before the 1800 GMT kickoff. Access to the fan zone in Zocala Plaza was hampered by metal barriers erected in recent days to prevent protesting teachers from reaching the area.
"Stop pushing and shoving, there are children here, you're like animals! " a city official shouted through a megaphone as he tried to control access to the venue where the opening game was to be shown on a giant screen. Some fans threw water bottles and hurled insults at police, as well as chanting in support of the Mexican team. The local government announced on social media that the site was "full" and suggested fans go to other plazas.
President Claudia Sheinbaum had been expected to watch the game at the fan zone but cast doubt on her presence following days of protests in the area by teachers demanding pay rises. Infantino defends World Cup ticket prices, says 'we don't control everything' after US visa denialsFIFA World Cup's largest edition set for kickoff2026 World Cup opener: Mexico vs South Africa — Classic big dogs vs underdogs showdown at AztecaScientists discover world's largest whale graveyard off the coast of AustraliaMassive new US strikes rock multiple targets inside Iran
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