The 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup is almost here.
After four years of anticipation, football‘s grandest spectacle returns in its biggest form.
Lionel Messi is back to attempt to retain the golden trophy he won in 2022, as is long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who will have his final opportunity to fulfil a goal he has chased all his career: a maiden world title.
While the two icons will reignite the debate over who truly is the Greatest of All Time (GOAT), teen prodigies like Lamine Yamal and superstar Kylian Mbappé are ready to add more glamour to one of sport’s biggest events.
But before the audience is treated to top bins and bicycle kicks, cartwheels and knee slides, the football field will turn into a stage that will host a grand ceremony to kick off the party.
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As co-hosts Mexico play South Africa in a repeat of the 2010 tournament opener, the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City – the largest in Latin America, with a capacity of nearly 87,500 – will host the first of three opening ceremonies of the 2026 World Cup on Thursday (11 June).
Bringing together some of the biggest names in the music industry, the ceremony will celebrate football through catchy tunes, thumping beats and dazzling performances.
Four-time Grammy winner Shakira – also known as the “Queen of Latin Music” – will headline the show, performing ‘Dai Dai‘ – the official song of the tournament, alongside Nigerian artist Burna Boy.
The Colombian superstar is no stranger to a World Cup hit, having recorded ‘Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)‘ for the 2010 World Cup.
South African singer-songwriter Tyla and Colombian singer J Balvin are two other popular names in the star cast of performers, which also includes Mexican singers Alejandro Fernández, Lila Downs and Belinda, as well as Venezuelan singer Danny Ocean.
Mexican pop band Maná and musical group Los Ángeles Azules complete the line-up for the pre-match ceremony, which will begin at 11:30 am local time (17:30 GMT), 90 minutes before kickoff.
“Produced in creative partnership with Balich Wonder Studio, each ceremony is connected by a shared creative thread that reimagines the FIFA World Cup Trophy through the lens of each host country’s culture,” a FIFA statement read.
“In Mexico, this concept is brought to life through the intricate and celebratory art of papel picado, a powerful symbol of tradition, craftsmanship, and joy.”
read more: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/fifa-world-cup-2026-opening-ceremonies-everything-you-need-to-know
