11.06.2026 23:40
The 2026 FIFA World Cup featured concerts before the opening match between Mexico and South Africa. Shakira, Burna Boy, Mana, Belinda, and Los Angeles Azules provided entertaining moments in the stands with their songs. The anthem prepared for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was performed by Andrea Bocelli and EJAE.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup began with a ceremony held before the opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
GRAND OPENING CEREMONY
Two hours before the match started at Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca), a visual spectacle was presented during the ceremony. Shakira and Burna Boy performed the official cup song 'Dai Dai', and during the concerts, world-renowned names in music such as Mexican rock group Mana, Los Angeles Azules, and Belinda took the stage. After the concerts ended, smoke bombs in the colors of the Mexican flag on the stadium's roof created a visual atmosphere.
MEXICO MADE HISTORY
Mexico, which opened its doors to football fans for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, became the country that has hosted the tournament the most times. The North American nation, after hosting the World Cup in 1970 and 1986, also took the stage in 2026, becoming the first country to host three tournaments. With the Mexico-South Africa match, the opening game of all cups was played at Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca). In this sense, the stadium, along with the city, made history as the venue where the opening was held three times.
WORLD CUP ANTHEM PERFORMED FOR THE FIRST TIME
Famous tenor Andrea Bocelli and South Korean singer EJAE performed the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 'DNA', for the first time before the match. After Mexican actress Salma Hayek's official welcome speech, for the anthem performed, FIFA stated that the new work reflects the spirit of the World Cup, emphasizing resilience, unity, ambition, and belonging. During the singing of the anthem, the flags of all teams playing in the World Cup were lined up around the center circle.
MEXICANS FILLED THE STANDS
Mexican fans left no empty seats at the 80,824-capacity Mexico City Stadium. Various protests held in Mexico City before the start of the World Cup caused fans to take to the roads early in the day to reach the stadium. Following warnings that protesters might block roads and prevent access to the stadium, Mexican fans set out at the first light of day to reach the venue.
MARADONA AND PELE NOT FORGOTTEN
At Mexico City Stadium, which had previously opened its doors for the World Cup twice, football legends Diego Armando Maradona and Brazilian star Pele were not forgotten. Images of Pele and Maradona were shown on the stadium's screens.
NEW PRE-MATCH CEREMONY HELD
The new pre-match ceremony, previously announced by FIFA, was held at the Mexico-South Africa match. In the ceremony, where all the players in the match line-up were arranged around the center circle, the flags of both countries were displayed and their anthems were played. After the ceremony ended, smoke bombs in the colors found on the flags of both countries were set off. During this time, a Mexican flag was unfurled from a helicopter over the stadium.