World Cup 2026 Opens: Three Ceremonies, One Celebration
On June 11, 2026, the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City officially hosted the opening of the FIFA World Cup. The stadium made history as the first venue in the world to host the opening match of three different World Cups — following 1970 and 1986. For the first time ever, the tournament is being co-hosted by three nations: the USA, Mexico, and Canada, with the number of participating teams reaching a record 48, playing 104 matches over 39 days.
Opening Ceremony: Shakira, Burna Boy & Stars from Three Continents
The opening ceremony in Mexico City began at 18:30 London time (11:30 local time). The headline acts were Colombian singer Shakira and Nigerian artist Burna Boy, who performed the official tournament song "Dai Dai" live for the first time. The programme also featured performances by Mexican artists — Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Lila Downs, the band Maná, and Los Ángeles Azules — as well as South African singer Tyla and Colombian artist J Balvin.
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum had signed a decree in advance to close schools and allow government employees to work remotely on the opening day — in order to ease traffic in the capital and ensure the festivities ran smoothly.
Three opening ceremonies are planned across the three host countries: the Mexican ceremony took place on June 11, the Canadian one will be held on June 12 in Toronto at BMO Field before the Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina match, and the American ceremony will take place the same day at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles before the USA vs. Paraguay game.
Opening Match: Mexico vs. South Africa (Group A)
The tournament's first match — Mexico vs. South Africa — was played at the Estadio Azteca on June 11 at 15:00 Eastern Time. It was a symbolic rematch: exactly 16 years ago, also on June 11, the same two sides met in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg — a game that ended 1–1. Mexico entered the match as hosts and favourites after eight unbeaten friendlies in 2026, including wins over Ghana (2–0), Australia (1–0), and Serbia (5–1). South Africa, meanwhile, returned to the World Cup for the first time since 2010 and arrived in Mexico City without a win in their last four warm-up games.
Notably, Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is the only player from either squad who featured in both the 2010 and 2026 World Cups. El Tri manager Javier Aguirre also led Mexico in that memorable match 16 years ago.
Note: The final score of the Mexico vs. South Africa match had not been officially confirmed at the time of publication — please check the latest result on the FIFA or ESPN website.
Key Injuries & Squad News
- Lionel Messi (Argentina): The reigning world champions' captain has been named in the squad for his sixth World Cup. After leaving the field during an MLS match against Philadelphia Union in late May, medical tests revealed only minor muscular fatigue in his left thigh — no serious injury. In a friendly against Iceland (3–0), Messi came on as a substitute in the 70th minute and scored from the penalty spot. Argentina begin their title defence on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City.
- Alphonso Davies (Canada): The Canadian captain is still recovering from a torn ACL (March 2025) and a hamstring injury. His availability for the opening match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12 in Toronto remains in doubt.
- Estêvão and Rodrygo (Brazil): Both wingers missed out on the Seleção squad due to injury. The absence of Estêvão (hamstring tear) and Rodrygo (torn ACL and meniscus) prompted manager Carlo Ancelotti to include 34-year-old Neymar in the squad.
- Jurriën Timber (Netherlands): The defender has been ruled out of the squad with a groin tear — officially confirmed by the Dutch football federation.
Upcoming Group Stage Fixtures
- June 12, 05:00 (Kyiv) — Group A: South Korea vs. Czech Republic
- June 12, 22:00 (Kyiv) — Group B: Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (Toronto)
- June 13, 04:00 (Kyiv) — Group D: USA vs. Paraguay (Los Angeles)
- June 14, 01:00 (Kyiv) — Group C: Brazil vs. Morocco
The tournament final will take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The reigning champions are Argentina, who defeated France on penalties in the 2022 World Cup final.
