FIFA World Cup 2026 opens at Azteca Stadium: Shakira, Burna Boy light up historic night
Synopsis
For the first time in four decades, the Azteca roared back onto the World Cup stage — and it did not disappoint. With Shakira and Burna Boy performing 'Dai Dai', Infantino and Salma Hayek declaring the tournament open, and a stadium that has now hosted three World Cups, the 2026 edition announced itself as a tournament shaped as much by history as by ambition.
Key Takeaways
The 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup opened on 12 June at Estadio Azteca , Mexico City .
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and actress Salma Hayek jointly declared the tournament open and presented the World Cup trophy .
Shakira and Burna Boy performed the official anthem 'Dai Dai' at the opening ceremony.
The Azteca became the first stadium in history to host World Cup matches in three editions — 1970 , 1986 , and 2026 .
The opening match was played between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa , followed by South Korea vs Czechia .
The 2026 edition is the first World Cup with a 48-team format , co-hosted by the USA , Mexico , and Canada .
The 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup officially kicked off on Thursday, 12 June as Mexico City's legendary Estadio Azteca hosted a spectacular opening ceremony blending football, music, and cultural heritage before a packed, euphoric crowd. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Spanish actress Salma Hayek jointly declared the tournament open and presented the iconic World Cup trophy to the roaring stadium.
A Night of Music and Spectacle
Global superstars Shakira and Burna Boy headlined the entertainment, delivering a vibrant performance of the tournament's official anthem, 'Dai Dai'. Their electrifying set transformed the Azteca into a swirling canvas of colour, light, and sound, drawing fans from across the world into a single, shared moment of celebration.
The festivities began roughly 90 minutes before kick-off, featuring cultural displays and performances that highlighted Mexico's rich heritage. Supporters waved flags and sang in unison as anticipation built steadily toward the opening whistle.
Historic Significance of the Azteca
The choice of Estadio Azteca as the venue for the opening ceremony was laden with football history. The stadium became the first in the world to host World Cup matches across three separate editions of the tournament, having previously staged games in 1970 and 1986.
Its legacy is extraordinary. Brazilian icon Pelé lifted the World Cup on its turf in 1970, and Argentine legend Diego Maradona inspired his nation to glory at the same ground 16 years later. Now, four decades on, the Azteca has opened yet another chapter in the sport's most celebrated competition.
Opening Matches on the Horizon
The ceremony set the stage for the tournament's opening fixture between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa, to be followed by a group-stage clash between South Korea and Czechia. With 48 nations competing across North America for the first time at an expanded World Cup, the month-long festival of football is now officially underway.
What Comes Next
The 2026 edition marks the first World Cup with a 48-team format, spread across host cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Matches will continue through the group stage before the knockout rounds build toward the final. The Azteca's role as a symbolic launchpad signals the organisers' intent to honour the tournament's past while projecting its global future.
Point of View
And invoking that lineage on opening night set a tone no neutral venue could have matched. Yet the 48-team expansion also means the tournament's commercial footprint has grown faster than its footballing logic: more matches, more host cities, and a diluted group stage are legitimate concerns that the spectacle of one night cannot fully paper over. Whether the 2026 World Cup is remembered for its scale or its quality will depend on what happens after the lights go down at the Azteca.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony held?
The opening ceremony was held at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on 12 June 2026 . The Azteca is the first stadium in history to host World Cup matches in three separate editions — 1970, 1986, and 2026.
Who performed at the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony?
Global music stars Shakira and Burna Boy headlined the opening ceremony, performing the tournament's official anthem 'Dai Dai' . Their performance transformed the stadium into a spectacle of colour and light.
Who declared the 2026 FIFA World Cup open?
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Spanish actress Salma Hayek jointly declared the tournament open and presented the World Cup trophy inside the Azteca Stadium.
What is historically significant about the Azteca hosting the 2026 World Cup?
The Estadio Azteca became the first stadium in the world to host World Cup matches in three different editions. Pelé won the World Cup there in 1970 and Diego Maradona lifted the trophy at the same ground in 1986 .
Which teams played in the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening match?
The opening match was contested between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa . It was followed by a group-stage fixture between South Korea and Czechia .
