Mexico City’s historic Estadio Azteca staged a spectacular opening for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup on Thursday night, combining music, culture and football to launch the month-long tournament.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino and actress Salma Hayek formally declared the event open and presented the World Cup trophy to a jubilant crowd as thousands of fans packed the stadium. Global performers Shakira and Burna Boy headlined the ceremony, delivering a high-energy rendition of the official anthem “Dai Dai” that lit up the arena with colour and sound.
Pre-match festivities began about 90 minutes before kick-off and included cultural showcases celebrating Mexico’s heritage. Supporters from around the world joined the celebrations, waving flags and joining in the music.
Estadio Azteca — which previously hosted World Cup matches in 1970 and 1986 — added historical resonance to the evening, becoming the first stadium to host matches in three separate tournaments. The venue’s legacy includes Brazil’s 1970 triumph and Argentina’s 1986 victory, moments tied to legends Pelé and Diego Maradona.
The ceremony set the tone for the opening match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa, followed later by South Korea’s meeting with Czechia.
(Inputs from IANS)