The 2026 FIFA World Cup began in Mexico City with a ceremony that gave Estadio Azteca another place in football history. The stadium, already linked to the 1970 and 1986 tournaments, became the first venue to host three FIFA World Cup opening matches as Mexico welcomed South Africa for the first game of the tournament.
EVENTS
Mexico hosted the first of three opening ceremonies planned for the co-host nations. FIFA worked with Balich Wonder Studio on the Mexico City production, which drew from Mexican culture and used papel picado as a major visual reference. The traditional perforated paper art appeared through the ceremony’s patterns, colours and field design, giving the pitch a direct connection to local craft and public festivity.
Lila Downs opened the performance program with a cultural prelude rooted in Indigenous and folkloric traditions. She delivered the opening sequence with dancers in traditional dress, setting a clear Mexican tone before the ceremony shifted into live music. Maná followed with “Oye Mi Amor,” bringing Mexican rock into the stadium and linking one of the country’s most recognized bands with the tournament’s first match.
The program then turned to contemporary Latin music. Danny Ocean performed “Partidazo,” while Los Ángeles Azules and Belinda added cumbia to the show with “Por Ella.” J Balvin and Ryan Castro also joined the lineup, adding a high-energy urban section before the ceremony reached its main international performance.
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Shakira led the headline moment with Burna Boy performing “Dai Dai,” the official song of the tournament. Shakira returned to the FIFA World Cup stage for her fourth appearance at a World Cup event, while Burna Boy joined her for the live rendition of the track in front of a giant replica of the FIFA World Cup Trophy. Andrea Bocelli and EJAE later performed “DNA,” the official tournament anthem. Their performance accompanied a procession featuring the flags of all 48 competing nations.
FIFA World Cup Ambassador Salma Hayek welcomed spectators and presented the FIFA World Cup Trophy on the pitch. Her appearance led directly into the parade of national flags representing every team participating in the tournament.
The ceremony also included appearances from LABUBU characters from POP MART, who joined the festivities as special guests.
Before kickoff, Grammy-winning South African artist Tyla performed the South African national anthem. Mexican singer Alejandro Fernández performed the Mexican national anthem, with thousands of supporters inside the stadium singing along. The ceremony concluded with fireworks and bursts of red and green smoke above the stadium.
Mexico then gave the home crowd a winning start. Julián Quiñones scored the opening goal, and Raúl Jiménez added the second as Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0. The match also carried a physical edge, with three red cards issued before the final whistle. South Africa finished with nine players, while Mexico also lost César Montes late in the game.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup now turns to the other two host-nation ceremonies. Canada will host its opening ceremony on June 12 at Toronto Stadium before Canada face Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez, Michael Bublé, Nora Fatehi, William Prince, Elyanna, Sanjoy and Vegedream among the performers. The United States ceremony will also take place on June 12 at Los Angeles Stadium before the United States face Paraguay, with Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema and Tyla scheduled to perform.
