An opening ceremony of 2026 FIFA World Cup is held at Estadio Azteca.
Photo: The Yomiuri Shimbun via AFP /Takuya Yoshino
Shakira and Nigerian singer Burna Boy had the spectators out of their seats in the opening ceremony for the 2026 World Cup in the Estadio Azteca ahead of the opening match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa.
The 48-team tournament is also being hosted by the United States and Canada and will feature 104 games, culminating in the final in New Jersey on July 19.
Dancers twirled around a giant model of the World Cup trophy while fireworks went off in the historic 80,000-capacity stadium which hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals and has been renovated for this year’s tournament.
In the highlight of the ceremony, Colombian star Shakira and Burna Boy performed ‘Dai Dai’, the official song of the tournament, bringing roars from the crowd.
Shakira and Burna Boy perform at the ceremony.
Photo: The Yomiuri Shimbun via AFP / Takuya Matsumoto
While there was a festive atmosphere inside the stadium, there were chaotic scenes in the centre of Mexico City where thousands of fans pushed and shoved as they attempted to enter the official World Cup fan zone shortly before the 1800 GMT kickoff.
Access to the fan zone in Zocala plaza was hampered by metal barriers erected in recent days to prevent protesting teachers reaching the area.
“Stop pushing and shoving, there are children here, you’re like animals!” a city official shouted through a megaphone as he tried to control access to the fan venue where the Mexico-South Africa game at the city’s Azteca Stadium will be shown on a giant screen.
Artists at the ceremony.
Photo: AFP / Yuri Cortez
Some fans threw water bottles and hurled insults at police as well as chanting in support of the Mexican team.
“It’s crazy,” said Javier Maciel, a 25-year-old fan wrapped in a poncho with the colours of the Mexican flag. “There could have been better organisation.”
The local government announced on social media that the site was “full” and suggested fans go to other plazas.
President Claudia Sheinbaum had been expected to watch the game at the fan zone but cast doubt on her presence following days of protests in the area by teachers demanding pay rises.
Photo: The Yomiuri Shimbun via AFP /Takuya Matsumoto
At the stadium, Alejandro Garcia, 50, decked out in a sombrero and carrying a replica trophy, said he was proud that Mexico was hosting another World Cup. He was a child when the country last hosted the tournament in 1986.
“This is our temple,” he said on the concourse around the Azteca. “It’s going to be a great World Cup, all of the protests will now be forgotten.”
It’s the first of three ceremonies within the host countries, Mexico, the United States and Canada.
Photo: AFP / Yuri Cortez
Photo: AFP / Yuri Cortez
-AFP / Reuters