The countdown has come to an end. This June 11 marked the official start of the Soccer World Cup 2026 with an inauguration that transformed the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City into the world center of sports and entertainment. The ceremony, prior to the duel between Mexico and South Africa, brought together music figures such as Shakira, J Balvin, Belinda or Manáin a montage designed to be celebrated in style.
This is a historic edition: For the first time, the World Cup is organized between three countries —Mexico, United States and Canada– and will have 48 participating teamsexpanding the usual format.
Shakira led a star-studded line-up with the official song, “Dai Dai,” accompanied by Burna Boy, in a mix designed to connect with global audiences and, especially, with the youngest.
Relive the minute by minute of the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup is officially inaugurated!
The FIFA World Cup is already at stake… the first match of the 2026 World Cup between Mexico and South Africa begins!
Andrea Bocelli and David Guetta
The Italian tenor has been in charge of giving the last performance before the first match alongside the Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe-winning artist to perform DNA alongside DJ David Guetta and Megan Thee Stallion.
Salma Hayek, ambassador
The Mexican star was in charge of giving the opening speech prior to the display of all the flags of the teams participating in the 2026 World Cup.
Shakira’s performance at the 2026 World Cup
The players are already warming up on the grass
Some of the players who are about to battle are already beginning to warm up on the Azteca Stadium grass
When is the first match of the 2026 World Cup?
Today, Thursday, June 11, only one match will be played, the first of the entire 2026 World Cup and it will take place in Mexico. Pay attention because there is nothing left
– 9:00 p.m.: Mexico – South Africa
Shakira arrives with her ‘Dai Dai’
The Colombian returns to a World Cup with Burna Boy to perform the theme of this World Cup. The artist’s choreography does not disappoint and makes everyone dance.
J Balvin’s salsa remix
The Colombian has scored a remix of I Like IT salsa
J Balvin’s turn has arrived
The singer takes the stage with Major Lazer to perform some verses from how hotbut that’s not all…
Let’s go with Belinda!
The Mexican is the third artist to perform with Por ella, the song with Los Ángeles Azules. What a great song to play in the state of Mexico!
Danny Ocean is a great game
The urban artist is the second to perform in Mexico with a choreo accompanied by dancers in full color. And, as it could not be otherwise, he has interpreted Great game.
Maná kicks off the World Cup
The Mexican group is in charge of opening the opening ceremony in their native country and they do so with their characteristic rock style and the FIFA Cup in the background. The chosen topic is, of course, Hey my love. The entire audience started singing it!
Begin!
The show has already begun to the rhythm of drums and under the movements of Aztec artists who welcome us to the country. Awesome!
Fans are already entering the ‘Fanzone’
What would football be without its loyal fans? The loyal fans of the Mexico and South Africa national teams are already accessing the City Stadium.
If you don’t want to miss a single detail of the opening of the World Cup in Mexico, stay. Here at LOS40 we are going to tell you minute by minute of the show.
If you prefer to watch it from your TV at home, turn on RTVE’s La 1. This begins!
The countdown begins…
The 2026 World Cup is here: music, emotion and football come together in an unprecedented global inauguration.
The Azteca Stadium makes history again
It becomes the first stadium to host three World Cup openings (1970, 1986 and 2026).
90 minutes of show before football
Each ceremony will last approximately an hour and a half before the opening whistle.
A historic World Cup with 48 teams
It will be the largest edition to date, with more teams and more games than ever.
The United States will close the trilogy
Los Angeles will be the scene of the third show, with stars like Katy Perry, Anitta and Future.
Canada will also have its own show
Toronto will host a second inauguration with artists such as Michael Bublé or Alessia Cara.
A show with Mexican DNA
The ceremony will be inspired by papel picado and traditional elements of the country, mixed with technology and global music.
Confirmed artists in Mexico
The poster includes names such as Alejandro Fernández, Maná, Belinda, J Balvin, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules and Tyla.
‘Dai Dai’, the anthem of the 2026 World Cup
Shakira and Burna Boy will perform the official song of the tournament, one of the most anticipated moments of the night.
Shakira leads the big show
The Colombian artist will be the main protagonist of the show and will return to a World Cup with ‘Dai Da’ after hits like ‘Waka Waka’.
Schedule in Spain: write down this key time
The opening ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m. (Spanish peninsular time), about 90 minutes before the first match.
An unprecedented inauguration… with three ceremonies!
For the first time, FIFA is organizing a “trilogy” of openings in Mexico, Canada and the United States, reflecting the culture of each host country.
The 2026 World Cup starts: everything ready at the Azteca Stadium
The World Cup begins this June 11 in Mexico City, with a ceremony prior to Mexico-South Africa. The Azteca makes history by hosting its third World Cup opening.
