Protest Before Opening Ceremony: 'They Are Killing Our People, and You Are Celebrating'
Watch the report by Idan Kovler, Walla Sport correspondent to the World Cup / Walla News staff
World Cup 2026 is the biggest ever, and also the first in which there will be no fewer than three opening ceremonies, one in each host country. The first ceremony takes place tonight (Thursday) at the legendary Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, about an hour and a half before the opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
It is the only stadium to host three ceremonies, and during it they will honor the memory of two stars of previous tournaments on Mexican soil, Pelé, who led Brazil to the title in 1970, and Diego Maradona, who led Argentina to victory in 1986.
The musical show will be led by Shakira, who is responsible together with Burna Boy for the World Cup song, “Dai Dai.” For the Colombian singer, the ex-wife of former defender Gerard Piqué, this is her fourth performance at World Cup tournaments. Italian maestro Andrea Bocelli will perform, and film star Salma Hayek will welcome the fans, while Alejandro Fernández will sing the Mexican anthem and Tila will sing the South African anthem.
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Some of the victims of the disappearances in Mexico / Reuters
Protest before the opening ceremony
Dozens of demonstrators, who positioned themselves near the access roads to Azteca Stadium, sought to draw public attention to one of Mexico’s most painful issues, דווקא on the day when the world’s attention is focused on the opening of the World Cup. Using megaphones, the protesters shouted at fans: “You should be ashamed. They are killing our people and you are celebrating. Mexico is the champion of disappearances. You are paying hundreds and thousands of pesos for people who treat us disgracefully.”
The protest comes amid ongoing criticism of the authorities in Mexico over their handling of thousands of unresolved disappearance cases over the years, while the country hosts the world’s biggest sporting event.
The protest outside Azteca / Reuters
Opening matches tonight, 22:00, Sport1: Mexico - South Africa Friday, 5:00, Sport1: South Korea - Czech Republic Friday, 22:00, Sport1: Canada - Bosnia Saturday, 4:00, Sport1: USA - Paraguay
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