The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States, will feature a 'moment of unity' pre-match ritual and will include 104 matches across 16 cities, the highest number in World Cup history. The opening match between Mexico and South Africa will take place on 11 June in Mexico City. Colombian singer Shakira, along with Nigerian artist Burna Boy, will perform the opening anthem 'Dai Dai,' which translates to 'let's go' in Italian, despite Italy failing to qualify for the tournament. The opening ceremony will also include performances by several other artists.
In brief
Shakira and Burna Boy have performed at the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony before 80,000 fans at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Mexico dominated South Africa in the tournament's opening match which saw three red cards shown.
Colombian star Shakira and Nigerian singer Burna Boy have kicked off the FIFA World Cup 2026 with electric performances at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca ahead of the opening match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa .
It was a lively atmosphere outside the stadium, full of mariachi bands, fireworks, and traditional costumes.
Roads were closed for several kilometres, forcing fans to walk an hour or more to the 80,000-capacity stadium.
Dotted along the route were bands and dancers, creating a festive march, while protesters were kept well away.
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It was orderly upon arriving at the gate, with a few fans holding signs, hoping someone would sell them a last-minute ticket.
One Mexican fan told SBS News they had paid $5,700 for a seat, but it was worth it if Mexico won.
Dancers twirled around a giant model of the World Cup trophy as fireworks went off inside the historic stadium that hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals and has been renovated for this year's tournament.
The highlight of the ceremony was Shakira and Burna Boy performing Dai Dai, the official song of the tournament, eliciting roars from the crowd.
While there was a festive atmosphere inside the stadium, chaotic scenes unfolded in the centre of Mexico City, where thousands of fans pushed and shoved as they attempted to enter the official World Cup fan zone shortly before kickoff at 5am Friday AEST.
Colombian singer J Balvin and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli were among the other performers before kickoff as the noise levels ramped up.
Access to the fan zone in Zocala Plaza was hampered by metal barriers erected in recent days to prevent protesting teachers from reaching the area.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony took place at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca stadium. Source: Getty / Europa Press "Stop pushing and shoving, there are children here, you're like animals!" a city official shouted through a megaphone as he tried to control access to the venue where the opening game was to be shown on a giant screen.
Some fans threw water bottles and hurled insults at police as well as chanting in support of the Mexican team.
"It's crazy," said Javier Maciel, a 25-year-old fan.
"There could have been better organisation."
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The local government announced on social media that the site was "full" and suggested fans go to other plazas.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had been expected to watch the game at the fan zone, but cast doubt on her presence following days of protests in the area by teachers demanding pay rises.
Mexico dominate South Africa in opening match
Mexico cruised to a 2-0 win over a lacklustre South Africa, which was reduced to nine men following two red cards.
The co-hosts dominated the tournament's opening match, with Julián Quiñones opening the scoring with a strike from the edge of the penalty area in the ninth minute.
Veteran 35-year-old striker Raúl Jiménez added a second — his first World Cup goal in four tournaments — after nodding a header in the 67th minute.
South Africa never looked like spoiling the opening day fiesta, and finished the match with just nine men after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off.
After each goal, a deafening roar erupted from the stands of the Estadio Azteca , the footballing cathedral that has become the only stadium to host games at three different World Cups.
There was still time for late drama when Mexican defender César Montes was shown a red card for a clumsy challenge on Khulisa Mudau on the edge of the penalty area.
With three red cards in the opening match, this tournament is already on track to eclipse Qatar 2022, where four red cards were shown across the entire tournament.
Three red cards were shown in the drama-filled opening match between Mexico and South Africa. Source: SBS News South Korea will take on Czechia at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico at 12pm AEST in the second match of this World Cup.
This year's tournament, hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, is the biggest World Cup in history, with 104 matches across more than five weeks.
— With additional reporting by Agence France-Presse.
You can watch all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ live, free and exclusive on SBS , SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand .
Read the full article at SBS News →The article highlights the best images from the opening ceremony of the World Cup 2026 in Mexico City.
Bias read (Center): The subject is sports-related and does not involve political controversy. The article focuses on visual content from an event without commentary or framing that suggests bias.
The World Cup opening ceremony was held at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, featuring performances by Shakira and Burna Boy. The event marked the start of the tournament, which includes 104 matches over 39 days, culminating in the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19. The opening match saw Mexico defeat South Africa 2-0.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual account of the World Cup opening ceremony and the first match without apparent ideological framing or biased language. It focuses on events, performers, and results without taking a stance or emphasizing any particular political viewpoint.
Official sources cited
SBS News reported on the opening day of the FIFA World Cup 2026, highlighting the opening ceremony featuring performances by Shakira and Burna Boy at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The event drew large crowds, with reports of road closures and a festive atmosphere including mariachi music, fireworks, and traditional costumes. The first match between Mexico and South Africa featured three red cards. Fans expressed enthusiasm, with some paying significant amounts for tickets.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on sports events, entertainment, and crowd management during the FIFA World Cup. It provides factual details about the opening ceremony, performances, and the first match without taking a stance or using biased language. There is no mention of political figures, policies, or idee
The Fifa World Cup 2026 opening ceremony has begun in Mexico City.
Bias read (Center): The subject is apolitical (sports event), so any lean is irrelevant and excluded from the bias bars.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States, will feature a 'moment of unity' pre-match ritual and will include 104 matches across 16 cities, the highest number in World Cup history. The opening match between Mexico and South Africa will take place on 11 June in Mexico City. Colombian singer Shakira, along with Nigerian artist Burna Boy, will perform the opening anthem 'Dai Dai,' which translates to 'let's go' in Italian, despite Italy failing to qualify for the tournament. The opening ceremony will also include performances by several other artists.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about the World Cup, including details about the event's structure, participants, and entertainment elements. There is no evident ideological framing, biased language, or selective sourcing that would indicate a political lean. The content remains neutral and
The FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony will take place across three countries—Mexico, Canada, and the United States—with performances by international artists such as Shakira, Burna Boy, J Balvin, Tyla, Michael Bublé, and Nora Fatehi. The event will be broadcast live in India on Unite8 Sports and Zee5. FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the ceremony as a 'truly global celebration' that unites music, culture, and football.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony, including details about the locations, performers, and broadcasting platforms. There is no evident ideological framing, biased language, or selective emphasis on particular perspectives. The content remains apol
Official sources cited
The article discusses the opening ceremonies for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in three host countries—Mexico, Canada, and the United States—with separate events preceding each nation's first match. The ceremonies will feature international music stars such as Shakira, Burna Boy, Michael Bublé, Alessia Cara, and Alanis Morissette. The event was designed by Italian producer Marco Balich, who also worked on the opening ceremony for the recent Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about the World Cup opening ceremonies, including details about performers and organizers. There is no evident ideological framing, biased language, or selective sourcing. It remains neutral in tone and focus.
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