World Cup 2026 Kicks Off in Mexico with Shakira and Star-Studded Ceremony

The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially kicked off in Mexico City on Thursday, June 11, with a spectacular opening ceremony at the iconic Azteca Stadium. Colombian superstar Shakira headlined the entertainment, performing alongside other artists featured on the tournament's official soundtrack to a crowd of vibrant, passionate fans.

A Star-Studded Start to the World's Biggest Tournament

The ceremony, described as star-studded, brought together some of the biggest names in music to celebrate the start of football's most prestigious competition. Shakira — no stranger to World Cup stages, having memorably performed at previous tournaments — once again proved why she remains one of the event's most iconic musical ambassadors.

The Azteca Stadium, one of football's most storied venues, provided a fitting backdrop. The historic ground, which has been renovated ahead of the 2026 edition, has previously hosted two FIFA World Cup finals and remains a symbol of the sport's global heritage.

A Historic Edition of the Tournament

The 2026 World Cup is being co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada — the first edition of the tournament to be shared by three nations. It also marks the first World Cup to feature an expanded field of 48 national teams, giving more countries than ever before the opportunity to compete on the global stage.

The lead-up to the tournament was not without its controversies. Fans from several nations faced difficulties obtaining visas to travel to the United States, and FIFA had to work to resolve accreditation and ticketing disputes in the days before the opening ceremony. Despite these off-field tensions, the atmosphere inside the Azteca on opening night demonstrated that enthusiasm for the beautiful game remains undimmed.

What Comes Next

The 48 competing teams will now play out a group stage across venues in all three host nations, before the knockout rounds begin. The tournament is scheduled to conclude with a grand final later this summer. Football fans across the world can follow all the action at Sports.