World Cup 2026 opening ceremony kicks off in grand style

Watch the report by Idan Koval, Walla Sports correspondent to the World Cup / Walla Sports editorial team

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 is taking 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 have hosted three ceremonies, and during the event there will be a tribute to the memory of two stars from previous tournaments on Mexican soil, Pele, 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, together with Burna Boy, is responsible for the World Cup song, “Dai Dai.” For the Colombian singer, the former wife of ex-defender Gerard Pique, 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.

Enter the prediction game, take part in the quiz, and maybe win a pair package to the World Cup quarterfinals. World Cup 2026 mascots before the opening ceremony / Reuters

20:55: Shakira took center stage with the official World Cup song and thrilled the crowd.

20:50: Maná, the Mexican pop-rock band formed in 1981, opened the event with the first musical performance of the evening. They were followed by Danny Ocean, the Venezuelan singer-songwriter who began his career on YouTube in 2009.

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