The 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially kicked off in Mexico City, with a spectacular opening ceremony packed with colour, culture and world-class musical performances.
Thousands of fans flooded into the legendary Azteca stadium, buzzing with anticipation as Mexico hosted the World Cup on home soil for the first time in 40 years.
Colombia’s J Balvin, Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy, Latin music star Danny Ocean and Fher Olvera all took to the stage alongside Shakira in a vibrant celebration of football and culture.
Opera legend Andrea Bocelli and K-Pop Demon Hunters singer Ejae performed the tournament’s official anthem DNA, which had been officially released just the day before.
Performers dressed in indigenous clothing paraded across the pitch, while others draped in gold carried giant golden footballs high above their heads in a breathtaking visual display.
A performer opened the ceremony with a powerful message, declaring: “Bienvenida a México. Welcome to Mexico. Mexico receives you with smiles from our heart. We are a nation of diversity, heritage and pride. Football carries the same heartbeat, uniting generations. The trophy is not defined by one player or nation but by all.”
Mexican singer Fernández, son of veteran crooner Vicente Fernández, led the home crowd in the national anthem, with around 80,000 fans singing along in unison inside the iconic ground.
Grammy-winning South African star Tyla delivered a rousing performance of her nation’s anthem ahead of South Africa’s opening match against co-hosts Mexico.
Tyla, whose hits include the song Water and the FIFA song Game Time, is set to return to the World Cup stage on Friday for the US opening ceremony in Los Angeles alongside Katy Perry, Future, Lisa and Anitta.
Local fan Javier Pérez attended the opener with his family and spoke to the BBC about the sense of occasion, saying: “We were lucky to get hospitality tickets and it’s a unique experience. I have never been to a World Cup before so to bring my family is wonderful.”
Pérez added enthusiastically: “I just want Mexico to get off on the right foot, win today and score a load of goals! And then we’ll see how far we can go!”
The build-up to the tournament in Mexico had not been without controversy, with renovations to the Azteca stadium and airport, widespread protests and cartel violence all casting shadows over preparations.
On the day of the opening ceremony, however, those concerns were firmly set aside as football took its rightful place at the centre of attention.
Mexico is co-hosting this year’s expanded 48-team tournament alongside the United States and Canada, with both North American nations staging their own opening celebrations on Friday.
FIFA has enlisted a wide array of global artists for the various ceremonies, with several of them featured across the 18-song Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album.
