Key Highlights from the 2026 FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony
Shakira, Burna Boy, and global stars launch the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City.
The world's eyes turned to the historic Estadio Azteca on Thursday evening as the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially kicked off with a spectacle blending ancient Aztec heritage, global pop culture, and the electric atmosphere of football’s premier tournament.
Headlined by global superstars Shakira and Burna Boy, the ceremony inaugurated the expanded 48-team tournament in front of a sea of dark green and yellow jerseys at Mexico City’s iconic venue. The event marked a full-circle moment for Colombian icon Shakira, echoing her viral performance at the 2010 World Cup opener in South Africa. However, this time she took the stage alongside NigerianAfrobeat giant Burna Boy to perform "Dai Dai," the new official anthem that quickly had the crowd roaring with every chorus.
A Celebration of Culture and Generations
The opening ceremony was designed to bridge generations and cultures. Mexican singer-songwriter Lila Downs opened the show, welcoming the world in both Spanish and English amidst a backdrop of performers in vibrant Mariachi costumes. Two massive screens at opposite ends of the stadium played footage from the last time Mexico hosted the World Cup in 1986, drawing a direct line between the country's rich football history and its current role as co-host alongside Canada and the United States.
Venezuelan artist Danny Ocean delivered a soulful rendition of "Partidazo" while dressed in traditional Mexican attire. He was followed by a cultural mashup featuring Belinda and the regional Mexican band Los Angeles Azules performing "Por Ella." The nostalgia continued as the legendary rock band Mana brought the crowd together singing their 1992 hit "Oye Mi Amor," proving the tournament's appeal spans decades of fans.
Latin urban stars also made their mark, with J Balvin and Ryan Castro performing a high-energy medley that included their duet "Una A La Vez" and a cover of "I Like It," getting the stadium dancing before the main event.
The Official Inauguration
Following the musical performances, World Cup Ambassador Salma Hayek Pinault stepped onto the pitch to formally welcome the global community. Speaking in Spanish, she emphasized the historic nature of the tri-nation hosting effort.
"In this stadium, along with Canada and the United States, we welcome the 48 flags," Hayek Pinault said. "Us Mexicans are very honoured to be here, where the World Cup begins."
Her speech was followed by a solemn procession of the flags of all 48 competing nations. The emotional peak of the formal segment came with the performance of "DNA," the official 2026 World Cup anthem, sung by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and South Korean-American singer EJAE. This was immediately followed by South African artist Tyla leading the national team and home crowd in the South African national anthem, before Grammy-winning Mexican singer Alejandro Fernandez closed the ceremonial proceedings with the Mexican national anthem, punctuated by clouds of red and green smoke bursting into the night sky.
Festivity Meets Unrest Outside the Stadium
While the pitch celebrated unity, the atmosphere outside the stadium was more complex. Access to the fan zone at Zocalo Plaza was significantly hampered by metal barriers erected to keep striking teachers away from the area. Thousands of educators have been protesting across Mexico City and other regions, demanding higher salaries and the reversal of new pension laws, with some demonstrators blocking traffic routes leading to the Azteca and damaging World Cup-themed installations.
Despite the chaos at the fan zones, where city officials struggled to manage crowds shouting through megaphones, the mood inside the Estadio Azteca remained jubilant. As the clock struck kickoff time for the opening match between hosts Mexico and South Africa, the focus shifted squarely to the 90 minutes of action awaiting on the pitch, leaving the political tensions behind the stadium walls for the night.