Staff Reporter
THE biggest FIFA World Cup in history starts today with Mexico City set to host the first of three opening ceremonies featuring a star-studded mix of global music acts, cultural performances and special guests, as the tournament officially kicks off across three countries for the first time.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 opening celebrations in Mexico City will bring together football, music and culture in a high-profile ceremony ahead of the opening match between hosts Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City Stadium.
The Mexico City event, starting at 7:30 PM (CAT), will be the first of three opening ceremonies staged across North America, with Toronto and Los Angeles set to follow on subsequent days as part of the tournament’s expanded launch format.
A number of special guests and performers have been confirmed for the Mexico City ceremony, including Mexican music star Alejandro Fernández, who will perform the Mexican national anthem, while South African singer Tyla will perform South Africa’s national anthem in a symbolic pre-match moment.
Mexican-American Academy Award-nominated actress and producer Salma Hayek Pinault will also feature as FIFA World Cup 2026 Ambassador, welcoming fans and highlighting the global significance of the tournament.
Music performances will include J Balvin and Ryan Castro, alongside a wider line-up of international artists such as Shakira, Burna Boy, Maná, Belinda and Lila Downs, as the ceremony brings the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 album to life on stage.
FIFA said fans attending the stadium should arrive early, with gates opening four hours before kick-off and pre-match entertainment and activations taking place ahead of the ceremony.
The Mexico City show forms part of a trilogy of opening celebrations across Mexico, Canada and the United States, marking the start of the first FIFA World Cup to be hosted across three nations and the largest edition in the tournament’s history.
Source: FIFA
PICTURED: People participate in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest “Mexican wave” along Reforma Avenue as part of activities ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, in Mexico City. Photo: Reuters
