The 2026 FIFA World Cup got off to a spectacular start on Thursday as Afrobeats superstar, Burna Boy and Colombian music icon, Shakira, delivered a thrilling performance that electrified fans at the Estadio Azteca before the tournament’s opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
The duo took centre stage to perform “Dai Dai,” the tournament’s official song, drawing deafening cheers from thousands of spectators inside the iconic stadium.
The expanded 48-team World Cup is being co-hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada. The competition will feature 104 matches before concluding with the final in New Jersey on July 19.
The opening ceremony transformed the historic 80,000-capacity Estadio Azteca into a dazzling spectacle, with dancers performing around a giant replica of the FIFA World Cup trophy as fireworks lit up the sky. The stadium, famous for hosting the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals, was recently renovated ahead of this year’s tournament.
Other headline performers included Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin and renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, who entertained the crowd before kickoff.
“It’s already a party in Mexico,” said 40-year-old supporter Ingrid Orozco.
“It’s amazing,” added 19-year-old Gustavo Ramírez.
While celebrations filled the stadium, chaos unfolded in central Mexico City, where thousands of football fans struggled to gain entry into the official FIFA World Cup fan zone in Zocalo Plaza shortly before the 1800 GMT kickoff.
Crowd movement was restricted by metal barriers installed in recent days to stop protesting teachers from accessing the area.
“Stop pushing and shoving, there are children here, you’re like animals!” a city official shouted through a megaphone as authorities tried to restore order at the venue, where the opening match was being shown on a giant screen.
Some frustrated fans threw water bottles, hurled insults at police officers and chanted in support of the Mexican national team.
“It’s crazy,” said 25-year-old fan, Javier Maciel. “There could have been better organisation.”
The local government later announced on social media that the fan zone had reached full capacity and urged supporters to watch the match from other public plazas.
President Claudia Sheinbaum had been expected to attend the fan zone, but cast doubt on her appearance following several days of teachers’ protests in the area over demands for higher wages.
