A star-studded performance headlined by singers Shakira and Burna Boy and a giant World Cup trophy officially opened the tournament at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium.
The iconic World Cup venue was a sea of dark green and yellow jerseys as fans eagerly awaited Thursday’s opening game between hosts Mexico and South Africa.
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It was during the 2010 World Cup, when Colombian star Shakira performed her viral song “Waka Waka,” which eventually became a global soccer anthem, before the match between then-host South Africa and Mexico. Only this time, Shakira performed the World Cup anthem ‘Die Die’ with Nigerian star Burna Boy.
The ceremony celebrated Aztec culture and filled the pitch with colorfully costumed performers before Mexican singer-songwriter Lila Downs welcomed the world in Spanish and English.
“Welcome to Mexico, world!” she said to a crowd filled with fans in mariachi costumes and dark green jerseys rooting for Mexico, which last hosted the World Cup in 1986. Two large screens at either end of the stadium showed footage from the tournament 40 years ago.
Aztec comes back to life
The iconic Estadio Azteca already holds a special place in soccer history, having hosted two World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986, making it a fitting choice to open the multi-week tournament.
Venezuelan singer Danny Ocean sang Partidazo with performers dressed in traditional Mexican costumes. He was followed by Mexican pop stars Belinda and the Los Angeles Azuls, who created a cultural mashup with their song “Por Era” as part of their World Cup album.
Mexican pop-rock band Mana also had the audience singing along to their 1992 hit “Oye Mi Amor,” making it a ceremony for all generations.
Colombian singer J Balvin and rapper Ryan Castro teamed up to electrify the audience with a medley of hits, including the duet “Una a la Vez.” Balvin concluded his performance by singing his hit song “I Like It” with Cardi B and Bad Bunny.
Shakira steals the show
When Shakira appeared on the pitch and grabbed the microphone, the crowd roared. She perfectly performed the choreography of “Dai Dai” with her dancers before joining up with Burna Boy. The duo ended the song with “Dale, Arets, Let’s Go!”
The performance was replaced by a more formal introduction to the tournament. World Cup ambassador Salma Hayek Pineau took to the pitch to welcome fans from all over the world.
“In this stadium, we welcome 48 national flags, along with Canada and the United States,” she said in Spanish. “We Mexicans are very honored to be here, where the World Cup begins.”
Her welcome was followed by a procession of flags representing the 48 countries participating in the tournament.
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and singer EJAE then performed DNA, the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
South African artist Tyra then sang the national anthem, with national team players and fans in the audience singing along with their hands on their hearts.
Alejandro Fernandez, a Grammy Award winner and a mainstay of the Mexican music scene for 30 years, concluded the ceremony by singing the Mexican national anthem.
Red and green smoke rose, signaling the start of the tournament.
Chaos at fan zones across Mexico City
Access to the Zócalo Plaza fan zone was blocked by metal barriers that had been installed in recent days to prevent protesting teachers from reaching the area. A strike by thousands of teachers has escalated nationwide protests in Mexico City and other regions, demanding higher basic salaries and repeal of pension laws.
Demonstrators blocked major traffic routes leading to Estadio Azteca and the Zocalo, toppled large World Cup-themed mannequins and set them on fire, and vowed to disrupt the world championships.
“Stop pushing and shoving. There are children here. You are like animals!” a city official yelled through a megaphone as he tried to control entry to the venue, where the opening game was scheduled to be shown on giant screens.
Some fans not only chanted cheers for the Mexican team, but also threw water bottles at police and hurled insults at them.
“It’s crazy,” said 25-year-old fan Javier Maciel. “There could have been a better organization.”
The local government announced on social media that the venue was “full” and advised fans to go to other squares.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had planned to watch the game in the fan zone, but her attendance was called into question after days of teacher demonstrations.
