Mexico and South Africa faced off Thursday, June 11, 2026 [1], in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup.
The event marks the start of a historic tournament shared across three host countries [2]. As the first match of the competition, the clash at Estadio Azteca serves as the global introduction to the 2026 edition of the world's most popular sporting event.
The match was preceded by an opening ceremony designed to showcase the host nation's culture. Shakira headlined the festivities, while reports indicated that Burna Boy also performed to celebrate the start of the tournament.
"We are thrilled to welcome the world to Mexico City for the opening ceremony," said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Event organizer María González said Shakira brought her global appeal to the event. FIFA communications director Laura Smith said Burna Boy joined Shakira to celebrate the start of the tournament.
The choice of Mexico City for the opening match highlights the deep footballing roots of the region. Estadio Azteca, a venue with a storied history in international soccer, provided the backdrop for the initial kickoff of the tournament.
FIFA officials said the ceremony and the match were intended to launch the event with a high level of energy and international visibility. The pairing of Mexico and South Africa in the opening slot provided a cross-continental matchup to begin the competition.
“"We are thrilled to welcome the world to Mexico City for the opening ceremony,"”
The opening of the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City underscores the expanded scale of the tournament, which is being hosted by three nations for the first time. By pairing Mexico with South Africa in the opening match and utilizing global icons like Shakira and Burna Boy, FIFA is attempting to maximize the event's cultural reach and commercial appeal across multiple continents from the first whistle.
