Mexico City dazzles as 2026 World Cup kicks off in style

In PicturesSaveSharefacebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylinkPerformers on the pitch during the opening ceremony before the start of the World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City. [Natacha Pisarenko/AP Photo]By APPublished On 11 Jun 202611 Jun 2026Fireworks, a sweeping light show and performances by Shakira, Burna Boy and J Balvin opened the 2026 World Cup before more than 80,000 fans at a revamped Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.On Thursday, co-hosts Mexico kicked off the expanded 48-team tournament against South Africa at the steep concrete arena, officially renamed Mexico City Stadium but still widely known as Azteca.The ground, which staged World Cup openers in 1970 and 1986, has now become the first venue to host the tournament’s curtain-raiser three times, as Mexico shares hosting duties with the United States and Canada.Inside, fans waved flags, sang and filmed the star-studded pre-match show on their phones as the global spotlight returned to one of football’s most storied venues.Outside, demonstrations broke out near key transport routes and fan zones, with protesters denouncing the cost of staging the World Cup, tight security cordons around working-class neighbourhoods and what they say is disruption to communities living in the stadium’s shadow.Police and security forces ringed surrounding streets and funnelled supporters through checkpoints, as Mexico City began a month of football under intense scrutiny.Shakira performs during the opening ceremony before the World Cup. [Eduardo Verdugo/AP Photo]Colombian singer J Balvin performs before the start of the World Cup. [Natacha Pisarenko/AP Photo]Andrea Bocelli and South Korean singer EJAE perform during the opening ceremony. [Natacha Pisarenko/AP Photo]The World Cup kicked off on Thursday as co-hosts Mexico took an early lead against South Africa in front of 80,000 fans in the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. [Ricardo Mazalan/AP Photo]Mexican fans cheer before the World Cup Group A match between Mexico and South Africa. [Silvia Izquierdo/AP Photo]The official opening ceremony lit up the Estadio Azteca stadium before kickoff with Colombian superstar Shakira and Nigerian singer Burna Boy delighting the crowd with a performance of "Dai Dai", the official song of the tournament. [Silvia Izquierdo/AP Photo]Singer Shakira and Burna Boy perform during the opening ceremony. [Ricardo Mazalan/AP Photo]Fher Olvera, lead singer of Mexican pop rock band Mana performs before the start of the World Cup. [Natacha Pisarenko/AP Photo]The extravaganza hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada is the biggest World Cup in history, stretching until the final in New Jersey on July 19 and is projected to generate a record-breaking $13 billion in total revenue. [Ricardo Mazalan/AP Photo]Demonstrators perform during a march protesting prior to the opening day of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City. [Ginnette Riquelme/AP Photo]A Mexico fan is tossed into the air in celebration at a fan festival while waiting to watch a broadcast of the World Cup. [Ashtin Barker/AP Photo]Law enforcement guard a barricade as fans funnel their way through to a fan festival area to watch the World Cup. [Ashtin Barker/AP Photo]Relatives of Mexico's disappeared and protesters march before the opening day of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City. [Alejandro Cegarra/AP Photo]Police officers block a street to the stadium ahead of the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City. [Ginnette Riquelme/AP Photo]