The 2026 FIFA World Cup opened in spectacular style on Thursday night, as global music stars Burna Boy and Shakira headlined a vibrant opening ceremony at Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca before the first match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa.
The ceremony marked the official start of what is expected to be the largest World Cup in history, with thousands of supporters from around the world gathering to witness the beginning of football’s most prestigious tournament.
Inside the newly renovated Estadio Azteca, which was filled with more than 80,000 spectators, the atmosphere was charged with excitement. The stadium was transformed through an elaborate display of lights, fireworks, and cultural performances that reflected both the heritage of the host nation and the global reach of the competition.
Dancers performed around a giant replica of the World Cup trophy, while colourful visual displays celebrated Mexico’s deep football culture and its role as one of the tournament’s co-hosts alongside the United States and Canada.
The highlight of the evening came with a major musical collaboration between Colombian superstar Shakira and Nigerian Afrobeats artist Burna Boy. The pair performed the official tournament anthem, “Dai Dai,” delivering a high-energy show that drew loud applause and helped set a festive tone ahead of kick-off.
The performance turned the stadium into a mass celebration, with fans singing, cheering and waving flags as the tournament’s opening moments unfolded. The energy inside the venue reflected the anticipation surrounding the month-long competition.
Other internationally recognised artists also appeared during the ceremony, including Colombian singer J Balvin and Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli, adding further star power to an already packed entertainment lineup.
Many spectators described the event as one of the most impressive World Cup opening ceremonies in recent memory, praising both the scale of the production and the atmosphere inside the stadium.
The 2026 edition of the tournament will be jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada. It will feature a record 48 teams competing across 104 matches, with the final scheduled to take place in New Jersey on July 19.
While celebrations dominated inside the stadium, scenes outside Estadio Azteca were less orderly. In Mexico City’s central Zócalo Square, thousands of fans gathered at an official World Cup fan zone set up to broadcast the opening match on large screens.
However, overcrowding near the entrances led to significant congestion, with security personnel struggling to manage the growing crowds. Barriers installed in the area, following recent demonstrations by teachers demanding higher wages, further complicated access for supporters.
Authorities repeatedly urged fans to remain calm as the situation became increasingly difficult to control. Some supporters were involved in verbal exchanges with police, while others expressed frustration at the organisation of the viewing arrangements.
City officials later confirmed that the fan zone had reached full capacity and advised supporters to find alternative locations across the capital to watch the match.
The congestion also raised uncertainty over planned attendance by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum at the public viewing event.
Despite the difficulties outside the fan zone, the opening ceremony itself succeeded in delivering a colourful and energetic start to the tournament.
With a globally recognised line-up featuring Burna Boy and Shakira, alongside thousands of passionate fans, the 2026 FIFA World Cup began with a celebration that matched the scale and expectation of football’s biggest international stage.
