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World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Highlights: Mexico City raises World Cup Curtain at Estadio Azteca
The FIFA World Cup 2026 starts from Thursday (June 11) as Mexico will lock horns against South Africa in the opening fixture of the competition. Ahead of the match, there is a huge Opening Ceremony planned in Mexico City's Azteca Stadium.
Check out the latest details of the Opening Ceremony here on MyKhel. Keep refreshing for latest updates.
LIVE Feed
Jun 11, 2026, 11:30 pm IST
Mexico vs South Africa Opening Ceremony Live
The fans have come in numbers with their sombreros and colour, and Mexico is absolutely ready for the World Cup. The Opening Ceremony concludes and its time for the battle.
Jun 11, 2026, 11:27 pm IST
FIFA WC 2026 Opening Ceremony Live
Estamos Listo, or We're Ready! That's the message.
Jun 11, 2026, 11:27 pm IST
World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live Updates
Como tu Sabes is being sung by Shakira as the Estadio Azteca looks like a carpet for the Latin culture's abode. We have witnessed a colourful opening ceremony so far.
Jun 11, 2026, 11:16 pm IST
World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE Updates
'The Football unites us all', this is the message from the Opening Ceremony in Mexico.
'Bienvenidos a Mexico, bienvenidos al mundial del futbol' (Welcome to Mexico, welcome to the world of football).
Jun 11, 2026, 11:14 pm IST
World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE
The opening ceremony has started with a Mayan civilization oriented performance, which is the heart and soul of Mexico.
Jun 11, 2026, 11:04 pm IST
FIFA World Cup 2026 Ceremony Live Updates
This is the moment the gates of Estadio Azteca was opened.
🚨 The Azteca Stadium doors have been open to the fans for the 2026 World Cup opening game! 🏟️🏆🌎 pic.twitter.com/2GkmLQ8pJF
— TheGoalsZone (@TheGoalsZone) June 11, 2026
Jun 11, 2026, 10:58 pm IST
World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live Updates
The Estadio Azteca is almost full. The fans have flooded inside the stadium and we can expect a star-studded opening ceremony, which will start soon.
Dos horas para que empiece el mayor acontecimiento deportivo que conoce el ser humano, la Copa del mundo de fútbol. No hay nada que se le acerque. Arrancamos en breve en @tjcope pic.twitter.com/UsnfibnsfK
— Julio Maldonado (@MundoMaldini) June 11, 2026
Jun 11, 2026, 10:47 pm IST
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live Updates
The Mexican fans have taken to the streets of Mexico City! We are minutes away now from the start of the opening ceremony!
Jun 11, 2026, 10:30 pm IST
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live
The Estadio Azteca is in readiness as Mexico and South Africa will take the field in the capital city of Mexico.
Jun 11, 2026, 10:28 pm IST
FIFA WC 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE Updates
The Wait is almost over!
The wait is almost over.
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 11, 2026
Experience all the excitement of the World Cup at FIFA Fan Festivals across 13 host cities! 🙌
Live matches, musical performances, local food options and more - visit https://t.co/zJTWWlwshQ to find your nearest venue! 📍#FIFAFanFestival #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/LJGDNP3syD
Jun 11, 2026, 10:21 pm IST
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live
The opening ceremony is set to start soon. The entire world is set to tune in for the curtain raiser at the Estadio Azteca.
Jun 11, 2026, 10:12 pm IST
World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE Updates
The opening ceremony (starting at 11:30 AM local time on June 11, 2026) features a star-studded Latin and global lineup celebrating Mexican culture, unity, and the official FIFA World Cup 2026 album/song.
Headliners & Key Performances
Shakira (Colombia) - Headlining, performing the official song "Dai Dai"
Burna Boy (Nigeria) - Performing "Dai Dai" alongside Shakira
Full Performance Lineup
Alejandro Fernández - Singing the Mexico National Anthem
Tyla (South Africa) - Singing the South Africa National Anthem; also performing in the show
J Balvin (Colombia) - Special collaboration with Ryan Castro
Belinda
Danny Ocean (Venezuela)
Lila Downs
Los Ángeles Azules
Maná
Special Guests
Salma Hayek Pinault - FIFA Ambassador, delivering welcome messages
This dynamic mix blends Mexican icons, Latin stars, Afrobeats, and global sounds for a spectacular cultural celebration before Mexico vs South Africa. The ceremony runs approximately 45-60 minutes before the pre-match buildup.
Jun 11, 2026, 10:09 pm IST
FIFA WC 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE Updates
The stadium is filling rapidly, and the roar is already building. Huge screens are showing highlights from Mexico's past World Cup moments - 1970, 1986, and that unforgettable 2010 run. Celebrity guests and global dignitaries are taking their seats. The blend of tradition and modernity in today's show is expected to be breathtaking. Fans are creating stunning tifo displays in the stands. A few global stars will lit up the Azteca today in the Opening Ceremony!
Jun 11, 2026, 10:07 pm IST
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live Updates
The sun is rising over Mexico City, and the countdown to history has truly begun. Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca) is already buzzing with activity as final preparations for the Opening Ceremony get underway.
Crews are testing the massive LED screens, stage setups, and pyrotechnics for what promises to be a spectacular celebration of Mexican culture and football. Gates open in a few hours for the expected fans. This venue, which hosted opening matches in 1970 and 1986, becomes the first to host three World Cup openers today. Mexico vs South Africa kicks off the 48-team tournament. The excitement is building!
Jun 11, 2026, 10:05 pm IST
World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony LIVE
Hello and Welcome to the Live Updates and Coverage for the World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The atmosphere at the legendary Estadio Azteca is electric as gates opened hours ago. Nearly 87,000 fans are streaming in, many wrapped in green, white, and red, waving massive Mexican flags. Traditional papel picado banners flutter in the breeze, setting a vibrant cultural tone.
This is history in the making: Mexico kicks off the first-ever 48-team World Cup against South Africa in a repeat of the 2010 opener. The first of three continental opening ceremonies begins in just under an hour. Global stars are backstage, and the energy is palpable. Welcome to the greatest show on earth!
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Performers
Tonight's Mega Kickoff in Mexico City
Today's ceremony carries immense historical weight. Taking place at the legendary Estadio Azteca which now officially becomes the only stadium in history to host matches across three different World Cups (1970, 1986, 2026), the show will be a masterclass in global and local entertainment.
Global pop icon Shakira returns to the World Cup stage to headline the event. She will be joined by Grammy-winning Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy to perform the live debut of the tournament's official anthem, Dai Dai.
Alejandro Fernandez will sing the Mexican national anthem, while Tyla will deliver the South African national anthem before the match begins. Hollywood star Salma Hayek Pinault will also make a special appearance as a FIFA World Cup 2026 ambassador.
The 90-minute extravaganza will feature performances by Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin (joined by Ryan Castro), Belinda, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, the iconic rock band Mana, and Los Angeles Azules.
What's Next: Expanding the Party to Canada and the USA
The excitement doesn't stop tonight. Over the weekend, the footballing party moves north for two more massive opening celebrations, each bringing its own distinct visual and cultural style.
Canada's "Cultural Mosaic" in Toronto (June 12)
On Friday night for viewers in India (11:00 PM IST), Canada will step onto the global stage at the Toronto Stadium. The ceremony will feature a unique countdown designed to take viewers on a "journey across Canada," highlighting the theme of a cultural mosaic.
Iconic singer Alanis Morissette will perform the Canadian national anthem, while Aleksandar Gajić will deliver the national anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Actor and comedian Will Arnett will also take the stage to welcome fans as an official FIFA Ambassador.
The diverse talent roster includes Michael Bublé, Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez, Elyanna, Vegedream, William Prince, Sanjoy, and Indian-origin Bollywood sensation Nora Fatehi.
The USA's "Hollywood-Style" Show in Los Angeles (June 13)
The opening trifecta will conclude on Saturday morning for Indian fans (5:00 AM IST) at the state-of-the-art Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium).
FIFA has promised a dazzling, Hollywood-inspired production, characterized by creative director Marco Balich as a visually stunning "super shiny, glowing cup" theme.
The star-studded American kick-off will feature blockbuster performances from global pop icon Katy Perry,
BLACKPINK's LISA, Afrobeats star Rema, rapper Future, and Brazilian superstar Anitta.
Where to Watch FIFA WC 2026 Opening Ceremony in India?
Football fans in India have multiple seamless options to watch all three ceremonies and the matches live across digital and linear television platforms:
Live Streaming: The entire celebration and the subsequent matches will be streamed live on Zee5 (via their website and mobile application) and Unite8 Sports.
TV Broadcast: The ceremonies and select World Cup games are expected to be aired on DD Sports and Unite8 Sports network, as the Indian government has included them under its "mandatory sharing framework."
Story first published: Thursday, June 11, 2026, 22:01 [IST]
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