The opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup will take place at 0:30 AM on June 12th, Vietnam time, at Mexico City Stadium, marking the beginning of the biggest World Cup in history with 48 teams and 3 co-hosting nations.
The football atmosphere in Mexico City is heating up by the hour ahead of the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony. Hours before the event, large crowds of fans, especially supporters of host nation Mexico, have flocked to the stadium area to await the opening program and the first match between Mexico and South Africa.
This is not just the opening ceremony of a football tournament, but also a cultural, musical , and emotional showcase deeply rooted in Mexican identity. With an international lineup of artists and the enthusiasm of tens of thousands of spectators in the stands, the 2026 World Cup is expected to begin with a spectacular night.
Fans flocked to the Azteca Stadium before the opening ceremony.
The first opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup took place at Mexico City Stadium, also widely known as Estadio Azteca/Estadio Banorte. It is one of the most iconic stadiums in world football.
Even before kick-off, the streets around the stadium were packed with Mexican fans in their blue, white, and red jerseys. Cheers, horns, flags, and scarves created a truly festive atmosphere before the World Cup officially began.
Following the opening ceremony, host nation Mexico will play their opening match against South Africa at 2:00 AM on June 12th (Vietnam time). This match evokes many memories, as Mexico and South Africa previously met in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup.
Shakira, Burna Boy, and a host of international stars rocked the stage.
The highlight of the opening ceremony was the musical performances featuring many world-renowned artists. Shakira and Burna Boy were highly anticipated with their performance of "Dai Dai," a song associated with the atmosphere of the 2026 World Cup.
Additionally, FIFA announced "DNA" as the official anthem of the 2026 World Cup, featuring Andrea Bocelli, David Guetta, Megan Thee Stallion, and EJAE. Andrea Bocelli and EJAE are expected to perform the song for the first time at the opening ceremony in Mexico City.
In addition to international stars, the program in Mexico also features many prominent artists such as Maná, Alejandro Fernández, J Balvin, Belinda, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, and Tyla. The combination of Latin music, pop, Afrobeats, and local cultural elements promises to create a vibrant atmosphere right before the opening match.
Mexican identity was the highlight of the opening night.
The opening ceremony in Mexico was not only focused on grandeur but also emphasized cultural elements. One of the most frequently mentioned images was "papel picado"—the traditional Mexican art of paper cutting, often featured in major festivals.
Colorful paper strips, handcrafted patterns, street music, and Latin colors are expected to be the visual highlights of the show. This is how host country Mexico will showcase its identity to millions of viewers worldwide.
In addition, the pre-match ceremony also drew attention, with the national anthems of Mexico and South Africa being played before the opening match. For the home team, this was an emotional moment as they began their World Cup journey on home soil.
The 2026 World Cup kicks off with three unprecedented opening ceremonies.
A unique aspect of the 2026 World Cup is that it won't have just one opening ceremony. FIFA will hold three separate opening ceremonies in the three co-hosting countries: Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
The first ceremony took place in Mexico City before the Mexico-South Africa match. Following that, Canada held its opening ceremony in Toronto before their match against Bosnia-Herzegovina. The United States concluded the series of opening events in Los Angeles before their match against Paraguay.
| Host country | Location | Expected time in Vietnam | The match after the holiday |
| Mexico | Mexico City Stadium | 00:30 on June 12th | Mexico - South Africa |
| Canada | BMO Field, Toronto | 00:30 on June 13th | Canada - Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| America | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles | 6:30 AM on June 13th | USA - Paraguay |
Having three opening ceremonies reflects the extraordinary scale of the first World Cup to be held in three countries, with 48 teams and 104 matches. This is also how FIFA transformed the opening day into a series of cultural and sporting events spanning across North America.
The opening night of the biggest World Cup in history.
The 2026 World Cup marks a major turning point for world football as the number of participating teams increases from 32 to 48. The larger scale of the tournament, the more matches, and the wider scope of organization make this World Cup the most massive edition ever.
For Mexico, the opening ceremony at Azteca/Mexico City Stadium holds special significance. It's not only a source of pride for Mexican football, but also marks the return of the World Cup to one of the most historically rich stages on the planet.
From the passionate atmosphere of the fans and the international lineup of artists to the rich cultural identity of Mexico, the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup promises to be an emotionally charged kickoff to a month of exciting football across North America.