The 2026 World Cup has begun in Mexico City with an opening ceremony and a match between Mexico and South Africa.
ManyPress Editorial Team
ManyPress Editorial
Key facts
- •The 2026 World Cup has begun in Mexico City with an opening ceremony and a match between Mexico and South Africa.
- •Mexico won the opening match 2-0 against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca stadium.
- •The opening ceremony featured performances by Shakira, Burna Boy, and other artists.
- •There were sporadic violent clashes between radical protesters and police outside the stadium.
- •The tournament is projected to generate a record-breaking $13 billion in total revenue.
The 2026 World Cup has started in Mexico City with a colorful opening ceremony featuring performances by Shakira, Burna Boy, and other artists. Mexico won the opening match 2-0 against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca stadium.
By the numbers
Opening Ceremony
The ceremony included performances by Colombian superstar Shakira, Nigerian singer Burna Boy, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, and K-pop star EJAE. The event showcased Mexico's diversity, heritage, and pride, with performers wearing indigenous clothing and holding giant golden footballs. The crowd was treated to a display of Latin music and dance numbers around a massive model of the World Cup trophy.
Match and Protests
Mexico took an early lead in the ninth minute with Julián Quiñones and extended their lead in the second half through a header by veteran striker Raúl Jiménez. Outside the stadium, there were sporadic violent clashes between radical protesters and police, with nearly 200 hooded individuals breaking away from groups of protesters and clashing with law enforcement. The situation was brought under control by police.
Tournament and Controversy
The tournament is projected to generate a record-breaking $13 billion in total revenue. However, FIFA has faced criticism over the high costs of tickets, with some prices topping $30,000. FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the organization of the tournament, citing a small number of $60 tickets that were made available in response to criticism. The tournament has also been affected by visa issues, including the refusal of entry to a top referee, Iranian team officials, and fans due to Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.
Timeline
- ThursdayThe 2026 World Cup kicked off in Mexico City with an opening ceremony and a match between Mexico and South Africa.
- FridayThe US and Canada will host their own opening ceremonies.
- July 19The World Cup final will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC World, Euronews, Deutsche Welle, Al Jazeera.
