FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Highlights: The wait is officially over! The biggest, most expansive football tournament in history is here as the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off. For the first time ever, the tournament spans three host nations—the United States, Mexico, and Canada—featuring an expanded grid of 48 teams competing across 104 matches.
To honor this historic scale, FIFA is rolling out a unique trilogy of opening ceremonies across the host countries. The grand curtain-raiser took place on Thursday (June 11) in the heart of Mexico with a stunning 90-minute fusion of local heritage, stadium-shaking choreography, and massive musical numbers. Shakira performed at the World Cup for the record fifth time.
Kickoff Timings & Venue
The first opening ceremony is being staged at the legendary Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca), a true coliseum of world football that makes history today as the first venue to host matches across three different World Cup editions (1970, 1986, and 2026).
Local Time (Mexico City): Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 11:30 AM CST
Indian Standard Time (IST): Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 11:00 PM IST
The ceremony will run for approximately 90 minutes, leading right up to the pre-match warm-ups.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Performers List
FIFA has assembled a massive global line-up of Latin, African, and international icons to set the pitch on fire before the football takes over:
Shakira & Burna Boy: The Colombian pop queen and the Nigerian Afrobeats titan take center stage to deliver the world-premiere live performance of “Dai Dai”, the official FIFA World Cup 2026 song.
Local Legends: Celebrating Mexican culture, the ceremony will feature rock icons Maná, along with powerful sets from Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Lila Downs, and cumbia stars Los Ángeles Azules.
International Power: South African breakout sensation Tyla and Venezuelan singer Danny Ocean round out the high-energy musical lineup.
The Opening Match: Mexico vs. South Africa
Immediately following the opening ceremony, the on-field action begins with a highly anticipated Group A clash.
The Match: Mexico vs. South Africa
Match Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM CST Local / 12:30 AM IST (Early morning of Friday, June 12 in India)
This fixture sets up a nostalgic, high-stakes rematch of the iconic 2010 World Cup opener. Backed by a roaring home crowd of over 83,000 fans, El Tri will look to secure an all-important opening three points on home soil to set the tone for their tournament campaign.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony HIGHLIGHTS: Mexico with the perfect start
The Mexicans had a blast Thursday as they not only started in a grand manner with the opening ceremony, but also won their opening clash against South Africa by 2-0. Most essentially, they did not concede and that's what mattered the most.
Thank you for tuning into the first of the three historic FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremonies. Hope you enjoyed FE Sports' coverage of it. We will be back with the second ceremony in Canada, later tonight.
Julián Quiñones has written his name into history. ✍️#fifaworldcup pic.twitter.com/mL58wS6WJC
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 11, 2026
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Done with the show, time to 'Let's Go'
The opening ceremony for the biggest football World Cup is over. But essentially, only the first part of the ceremony is as there are two more scheduled for in Canada and USA. But at least, in Mexico, they are done with the show and it's time to 'let's go' and play some football.
48 teams, one dream. @FIFAWorldCup 2026 starts now 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ronShWY9cx
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 11, 2026
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Third time the charm for the Mexicans?
The country has histed the FIFA World Cup twice before, but have never made it to more than the quarterfinal. Will it be the third time lucky for the El Tri?
Third time’s a charm 🤩
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 11, 2026
Mexico hosts the @FIFAWorldCup for a record-breaking third time 🙌🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/YElCcVW2Ml
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE: When its time for action
After the opening ceremony was done with, featuring Shakira and some legendary Latin American folk and pop artists, the audience at Aztec bowed to them with their hats flying and welcomed the players on the pitch.
Let's go, @FIFAWorldCup 2026! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/y6ptWex7Ih
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 11, 2026
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE: The Dai-Dai moment of the World Cup
And the moment that all waited for arrived. Here's a look at Shakira's performance with Burna Boy.
🎥 COMPLETO: Assista à performance de Shakira e Burna Boy cantando “Dai Dai” na cerimônia de abertura da Copa do Mundo FIFA 2026! pic.twitter.com/ZRmltKr9oH
— Central Shakira Brasil 🇧🇷 (@CentralShakira) June 11, 2026
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE: The electrifying state of affairs
How amazing an environment it was at Aztec when people were amazed by the opening ceremony.
The atmosphere during the @FIFAWorldCup 2026 opening ceremony! 😍🎶 pic.twitter.com/J1IEOC9ysk
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 11, 2026
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Shakira owned the stage
She knew how to do it. She had done it in the past and she did it again. The stadium went entirely pitch-black before massive golden spotlights converged on the center circle. Pop icon Shakira and Afrobeats giant Burna Boy stepped out to deliver the world-premiere live performance of "Dai Dai", the official anthem of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Backed by hundreds of synchronized street dancers, the infectious fusion of Latin pop and African rhythms had the entire stadium dancing.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Aztec is all decked up
One of the best sights to start the World Cup.
The Estadio Azteca looks UNREAL!
— All Fútbol MX 🇲🇽 (@AllFutbolMX) June 11, 2026
AURA. 🤯❤️ pic.twitter.com/V1ih4BvH6u
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Mi Amor performs at Aztec
The opening ceremony witnesses the magic of the best Spanish rock band in Latin America.
Maná performing “OYE MI AMOR” during the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony! 🎸🏆
— All Fútbol MX 🇲🇽 (@AllFutbolMX) June 11, 2026
The greatest Spanish rock band in Latin America. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/fdJ79k0uoO
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Watch the opening ceremony here
Fans can follow the opening ceremony here.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE:3rd time is the charm for Mexico City
The Mexican team is here. Their team buys has arrived and they are heading towards the stadium as we await the presentation ceremony.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE:3rd time is the charm for Mexico City
This stadium, the Aztec as it is known, will be hosting it's third World Cup opener, having been host pf the 1970 and 1986 editions previously.
The stage is set.
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 11, 2026
Mexico City Stadium is ready to host its third @FIFAWorldCup opening game 🙌🏟️ pic.twitter.com/FFptXqyZPj
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Mexico City is indeed ready
That is some sight and a half.
The amazing Estadio Azteca. What a view. A stadium steeped in history. Pele and Maradona both won World Cups here. The Hand of God goal… goal of the century… so many memories and now inside it feels really special ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/ILggTJNKZT
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) June 11, 2026
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Mexico City gears up
The people in Mexico are ready for the blockbuster.
🚨🚨 C’EST PARTI : L’ESTADIO AZTECA 🇲🇽 A OUVERT SES PORTES POUR LE MATCH D’OUVERTURE DU MONDIAL 2026 !!!! 🏟️🤩
— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) June 11, 2026
Plus de 80.000 spectateurs sont attendus ce soir pour ce Mexique 🇲🇽 - 🇿🇦 Afrique du Sud. pic.twitter.com/fFZ16Wbeh6
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Shakira creates history
Shakira has created history tonight.
#shakira, the World Cup Queen is officially back, and will make history at today's FIFA World Cup opening ceremony as the 1st artist to perform at the event five times! 💪🐐👑❤️🔥pic.twitter.com/E1BSJef40H pic.twitter.com/dX6rcWcBYI
— World Music Awards (@WORLDMUSICAWARD) June 11, 2026
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Who All Are Performing?
Because the tournament is hosted across three countries, FIFA is rolling out a trilogy of opening ceremonies.
1. Mexico City Ceremony (Happening Right Now)The grand curtain-raiser at the Mexico City Stadium relies on high-energy global anthems and a vibrant celebration of Latin culture:
Shakira & Burna Boy: Headlining the ceremony to perform "Dai Dai", the official FIFA World Cup 2026 song, live for the first time.
Andrea Bocelli: Performing the second tournament anthem, "DNA", alongside David Guetta and Megan Thee Stallion.
Latin & African Icons: J Balvin, Tyla, Maná, Belinda, Alejandro Fernández, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, and Los Ángeles Azules.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE: And it is about to begin
The wait for that moment is finally over and the opening ceremony is about to begin.
The wait is almost over.
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 11, 2026
Experience all the excitement of the World Cup at FIFA Fan Festivals across 13 host cities! 🙌
Live matches, musical performances, local food options and more - visit https://t.co/zJTWWlwshQ to find your nearest venue! 📍#fifafanfestival #fifaworldcup pic.twitter.com/LJGDNP3syD
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE: How did the rehearsals go?
Here's what happened last night at rehearsals in Mexico.
Lighting up the night sky in Mexico City for the #fifaworldcup ✨#novaskystories pic.twitter.com/K3uW3iw2Y1
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 11, 2026
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Where to Watch in India (TV & Live Stream)
Zee Entertainment holds the official broadcasting rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in India. You can catch the opening ceremony and matches live via the following platforms: Live Streaming (Digital):
ZEE5 app and website (available on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and Smart TVs).
TV Telecast (Cable/DTH): Unite8 Sports 1 & Unite8 Sports 1 HD (Hindi Commentary) Unite8 Sports 2 & Unite8 Sports 2 HD (English Commentary) Free-to-Air TV: DD Sports (available on DD Free Dish) is broadcasting the opening ceremony and the opening match absolutely free.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Papel Picado Art Decorates the Stadium
The first massive design elements are being unrolled. The visual theme for Mexico's ceremony leans heavily into traditional papel picado (perforated paper folk art), with thousands of colorful banners suspended from the upper rim rafters.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Final Pitch Inspections Complete
FIFA officials and the tournament's technical crew walk the grass one final time. The stadium's sound system is being tested at full blast, sending deep bass lines echoing across the empty lower bowl blocks.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Gates Flung Open at the Azteca!
The historic Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca) has officially opened its doors, and a vibrant sea of green, white, and red jerseys is already pouring through the turnstiles. The atmosphere outside the venue is electric.
Street vendors are lined up selling special edition tournament merchandise, traditional sombreros, and papel picado flags. Security is tight but moving quickly as over 83,000 fans prepare to pack this legendary coliseum.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Welcome to the live blog
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony, which will take place at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11. This is first installation of the three-part opening ceremony, happening for the first time in FIFA World Cup's history.