2026 FIFA World Cup officially gets underway!

2026 FIFA World Cup: A Spectacular Opening Ceremony in Mexico City
The wait is finally over. Today, June 11, 2026, marks the monumental start of the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup. Before the opening whistle blew at the historic Mexico City Stadium, the world was treated to a vibrant, star-studded celebration that set a high bar for the remainder of the tournament.

A Trilogy of Celebrations
This year, the tournament is breaking new ground with a trilogy of opening ceremonies hosted across Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Mexico had the distinct honor of kicking off these festivities. The production, which began 90 minutes prior to the opening match, transformed the stadium into a kaleidoscope of football, music, and culture, effectively welcoming the global football community to North America.

A Heavyweight Lineup
The atmosphere was electric as fans in the stadium and millions watching worldwide were treated to performances of tracks from the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album. The lineup featured a powerful mix of international icons and local legends, including:

Shakira

Burna Boy

J Balvin (joined on stage by Ryan Castro)

Maná

Los Ángeles Azules

Belinda

Danny Ocean

Lila Downs

National Pride and Global Welcome
The ceremony was defined by a profound sense of national pride. The pre-match proceedings reached a crescendo when Alejandro Fernández took the stage to perform the Mexican national anthem, followed by a stirring rendition of the South African national anthem by Grammy-winning artist Tyla.

To conclude the ceremony, Academy Award-nominated actress and FIFA World Cup 2026 Ambassador Salma Hayek Pinault took to the center of the pitch. Her presence served as the official bridge between the cultural celebration and the sporting action to follow, formally welcoming the world to Mexico City for what promises to be an historic month of competition.