Shakira, Burna Boy open 2026 World Cup at Azteca Stadium
The 2026 World Cup began in Mexico City with a music-heavy ceremony before Mexico faced South Africa, while crowd problems hit a fan zone.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
The 2026 World Cup opened Thursday at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City with a ceremony led by Shakira and Burna Boy before the first Group A match between Mexico and South Africa. The event marked the start of a tournament shared by Mexico, Canada and the United States, with 48 teams taking part, Al Jazeera and AFP reported.
Fans in Mexico’s dark green shirts and others in yellow filled the stadium before kickoff, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. A large World Cup trophy was part of the staging, and performers covered the pitch in a programme that drew on Aztec culture and Mexican music.
Music and ceremony at Azteca
Mexican singer-songwriter Lila Downs addressed the crowd in Spanish and English, welcoming international fans to Mexico, Al Jazeera and AFP reported. Two large screens in the stadium showed footage from the 1986 World Cup, the last time Mexico hosted the tournament.
Estadio Azteca has hosted two World Cup finals, in 1970 and 1986, Al Jazeera and AFP noted. Its role in football history made it the venue for the opening of the weeks-long competition.
Venezuelan singer Danny Ocean performed Partidazo with dancers in traditional Mexican dress, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. Mexican acts Belinda and Los Angeles Azules followed with Por Ella, a song included on the World Cup album.
Mexican pop-rock band Mana also appeared, leading the crowd through its 1992 song Oye Mi Amor, Al Jazeera and AFP reported. Colombian artists J Balvin and Ryan Castro performed a medley that included their collaboration Una A La Vez, with Balvin closing his set with I Like It, his song with Cardi B and Bad Bunny.
Shakira returns to the World Cup stage
Shakira’s appearance linked the ceremony to the 2010 World Cup, when she performed Waka Waka before a match between South Africa and Mexico, Al Jazeera and AFP reported. This time, the Colombian singer performed the 2026 World Cup anthem Dai Dai with Nigerian artist Burna Boy.
World Cup ambassador Salma Hayek Pinault then welcomed supporters and the competing nations, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. Speaking in Spanish, she said Mexico, together with Canada and the United States, welcomed the 48 flags, and said Mexicans were honoured to host the tournament’s opening.
A flag procession for the 48 participating countries followed, Al Jazeera and AFP reported. Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and singer EJAE performed DNA, described by Al Jazeera and AFP as the official FIFA World Cup anthem for 2026.
South African artist Tyla sang the South African national anthem as players and fans joined in, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. Mexican singer Alejandro Fernandez performed Mexico’s national anthem, and red and green smoke rose to mark the start of the tournament.
Fan zone access problems
Outside the stadium, the Zocalo plaza fan zone in Mexico City faced access problems, Al Jazeera and AFP reported. Metal barriers had been installed in recent days to stop protesting teachers from reaching the area.
A city official used a megaphone to tell people to stop pushing because children were present, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. Some fans threw water bottles, insulted police and chanted in support of Mexico.
Javier Maciel, identified by Al Jazeera and AFP as a 25-year-old fan, called the scene “crazy” and said organisation could have been better. The local government said on social media that the site was full and directed fans to other plazas.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had been expected to watch the opener at the fan zone, Al Jazeera and AFP reported. Her attendance was in doubt after several days of protests by teachers seeking pay increases.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.