Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy and Colombian superstar Shakira lit up the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Thursday night, delivering a high-energy performance that sent waves of excitement through fans at the packed stadium.
The event took place at the historic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, ahead of the tournament’s opening match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa.
The stadium, which holds about 80,000 spectators and has hosted previous World Cup finals, had been newly refurbished for the global football showcase.
Spectacular opening display
The ceremony blended music, culture, and spectacle as dancers performed around a giant replica of the World Cup trophy while fireworks illuminated the sky.
The atmosphere quickly built inside the arena as anticipation for the tournament reached a peak.
The competition, jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, will feature 48 teams playing 104 matches, with the final scheduled for New Jersey on July 19.
The highlight of the night came when Shakira and Burna Boy took centre stage to perform “Dai Dai”, the official tournament song.
Their performance drew loud cheers and applause from the crowd.
Other major international acts, including J Balvin and Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli, also performed before kickoff, adding to the global flavour of the ceremony.
Fans react to festive atmosphere
Inside the stadium, supporters described a lively and unforgettable experience.
“It’s already a party in Mexico,” said Ingrid Orozco, a 40-year-old fan.
“It’s amazing,” added Gustavo Ramírez, 19.
Their reactions reflected the festive mood that filled the venue as music and celebration mixed with football excitement.
While celebrations inside the stadium went smoothly, scenes outside in central Mexico City were far less orderly.
Thousands of fans gathered at the Zócalo plaza fan zone, where overcrowding led to pushing and disorder as people tried to gain entry before kickoff.
Access to the area had been restricted due to metal barriers installed in recent days, aimed at preventing protesting teachers from reaching the location.
A city official struggled to control the crowd, using a megaphone to warn spectators.
“Stop pushing and shoving, there are children here, you’re like animals!” the official shouted while attempting to restore order.
Some fans responded by throwing water bottles and shouting at police, while others chanted in support of the Mexican national team.
“It’s crazy,” said Javier Maciel, a 25-year-old supporter. “There could have been better organization.”
Authorities later announced on social media that the fan zone had reached full capacity and advised fans to seek alternative viewing locations across the city.
The local government also faced added pressure as recent teacher protests disrupted parts of the capital.
President Claudia Sheinbaum had been expected to attend the fan zone screening but her appearance became uncertain due to the ongoing unrest.
Despite the tension outside, the opening ceremony set a vibrant tone for what is expected to be one of the largest and most widely watched tournaments in football history.
