FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony: Shakira, Burna Boy Light Up Mexico City Ahead Of Tournament Opener
The first of the three opening ceremonies of the FIFA World Cup 2026 was held at the Azteca Stadium, renamed Mexico City Stadium for the duration of the tournament, in Mexico City on June 11, 2026. The star-studded opening ceremony featuring Shakira, Burna Boy and J Balvin kicked off the 2026 World Cup before a crowd of more than 80,000 at the revamped venue. Mexico opened the 48-team tournament against South Africa -- a rematch of the opening game of the World Cup 2010 -- as the global showpiece began amid escalating protests and social tensions in the capital. See the best photos from the opening ceremony here.
Performers on the pitch during the opening ceremony before the start of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026 AP/Ricardo Mazalan
Mexican pop rock band Mana perform before the start of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP/Natacha Pisarenko
Performers on the pitch during the opening ceremony before the start of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City AP/Natacha Pisarenko
Performers on the pitch during the opening ceremony before the start of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City AP
Mexico fans on the stands wait for the start of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko
Mana performs before the start of the World Cup Group A match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko
Performers on the pitch during the opening ceremony before the start of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko
CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez, center, with UEFA boss Aleksander Ceferin before the start of the World Cup Group A match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko
Singer Shakira performs on the pitch during the opening ceremony before the start of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan
Colombian artist Shakira, with her brother Antonio Mebarak, left, wait her turn to perform during the opening ceremony before the start of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko
Mexican-American actress Salma Hayek gestures on the pitch before the start of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko
Andrea Bocelli and South Korean singer EJAE perform during the opening ceremony before the start of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko
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