Colombian pop icon Shakira and Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy brought the Estadio Azteca to life on Thursday, headlining the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City.
The pair performed “Dai Dai,” the official song of the tournament, just hours before co-hosts Mexico faced South Africa in the opening match. Their performance was the highlight of a colourful ceremony that also featured Mexican music stars Alejandro Fernandez, Lila Downs and Belinda.
Dancers surrounded a giant replica of the World Cup trophy as fireworks lit up the 80,000-capacity stadium, which has been renovated for the tournament.
The Estadio Azteca made history as the first venue to host the World Cup opening ceremony for a record third time. The stadium previously hosted the 1970 and 1986 finals, graced by Pelé and Diego Maradona.
With Mexico co-hosting alongside the United States and Canada, it becomes the first nation to stage the tournament three times.
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The 2026 edition is also historic as the first World Cup to feature 48 teams. The expanded format will include 104 matches, with the final set for July 19 in New Jersey.
While the mood inside the stadium was celebratory, scenes outside were less orderly. Thousands of fans pushed and shoved as they tried to enter the official fan zone in Zocalo plaza ahead of the 6pm GMT kickoff. Access was hampered by metal barriers set up to block protesting teachers.
Some fans threw water bottles and hurled insults at police, while others chanted in support of the Mexican team. Authorities later announced on social media that the fan zone was full and directed fans to other plazas in the city.
President Claudia Sheinbaum, who had been expected to attend the fan zone viewing, cast doubt on her appearance after days of protests by teachers demanding pay rises.
Adding a subplot to the opening day, Mexico named 17-year-old Gilberto Mora among their substitutes, making him the youngest player at the tournament.
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