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A spectacular show, headlined by singers Shakira and Burna Boy, and the World Cup trophy officially opened the tournament at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
The most popular scene at the World Cup was a sea of bright green and yellow jerseys, as fans eagerly awaited the tournament’s opening match between hosts Mexico and South Africa on Thursday.
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It was all the way back to the 2010 World Cup, when Colombian star Shakira sang her viral song Waka Waka – which eventually became the national football anthem – before the match between South Africa and Mexico. Only this time, Shakira sang the song World Cup Dai Dai, together with the Nigerian star Burna Boy.
The event celebrated Aztec culture and saw performers dressed in colorful costumes before Mexican singer and songwriter Lila Downs welcomed the world in Spanish and English.
“People of the world, welcome to Mexico!” he said to a crowd of fans dressed in mariachi costumes and green jerseys supporting Mexico, which last hosted the World Cup in 1986. Two large screens at the end of the stadium showed footage from 40 years ago.
Azteca lived
The famous Estadio Azteca already has a special place in football history having hosted two World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986, so it was the right choice to host the tournament that lasted for several weeks.
Venezuelan singer Danny Ocean sang Partidazo, accompanied by Mexican dancers. They were followed by Mexican artists Belinda and the Los Angeles Azules, who performed a traditional fusion in their song Por Ella as part of the World Cup album.
It was an all-ages event, as Mexican pop-rock group Mana also had the crowd singing their 1992 hit Oye Mi Amor.
Colombian singer J Balvin and rapper Ryan Castro teamed up to perform their songs, including their single Una A La Vez, and pump up the crowd. Balvin ended his career by singing I Like It, his hit single with Cardi B and Bad Bunny.
Shakira steals the show
The crowd roared as Shakira appeared on stage and took the mic. He unfairly performed the Dai Dai choreography with his dancers before being joined by Burna Boy. The duo ended the song with “Dale, allez, let’s go!”
The match marked the official start of the tournament. World Cup ambassador Salma Hayek Pinault went to welcome fans from all over the world.
“In this stadium, along with Canada and the United States, we receive 48 flags,” he said in Spanish. “We Mexicans are very honored to be here, where the World Cup starts.”
His welcome was followed by a parade of flags from the 48 countries competing in the tournament.
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and singer EJAE performed DNA, the official song for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Then South African artist Tyla sang the national anthem while the players and fans of the national team in the crowd sang while putting their hands over their hearts.
Grammy winner Alejandro Fernandez, who has been singing Mexican music for three decades, closed the ceremony with a Mexican national anthem.
Clouds of red and green smoke billowed into the air to signal the start of the race.
Chaos in the fan zones in Mexico City
Access to the fan zone at Zocalo Plaza was blocked by barricades, which were erected days ago to prevent protesting teachers from reaching the area. Thousands of teachers have protested across the country in Mexico City and other areas, demanding higher wages and changes to pension laws.
Protesters have blocked the main roads leading to the Estadio Azteca and the Zocalo, and have toppled and burned giant World Cup mannequins, vowing to disrupt the international tournament.
“Stop pushing and shoving, there are children here, you are like animals! A city official shouted through a megaphone as he tried to direct the entrance to the venue where the opening game was to be shown on a giant screen.
Some fans threw water bottles and taunted the police, as well as chanting in support of the Mexican team.
“It’s crazy,” said Javier Maciel, a 25-year-old fan. “There could be a better organization.”
The local government announced on television that the site was “full” and that fans should go elsewhere.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was expected to watch the game at the stadium, but she doubted her attendance after days of teacher protests.
