The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially began in Mexico City with a vibrant opening ceremony at the historic Estadio Banorte on June 12, 2026. The 17-minute event, described as brief yet lively, welcomed the world to football’s biggest celebration under the theme of unity. The ceremony featured a mix of color, music, dance, and cultural expression, highlighting Mexico’s heritage and pride. A large replica of the World Cup trophy rotated at the center of the stadium as thousands of spectators joined in the festive atmosphere.

Venezuelan singer Danny Ocean energized the crowd with his performance, while global stars Shakira from Colombia and Burna Boy from Nigeria performed the official World Cup song “Dai Dai.” Other artists, including J Balvin, Tyla, Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, and Lila Downs, also took part. The show, directed by Italian producer Marco Balich, emphasized traditional Mexican art forms such as papel picado.

Following the ceremony, the tournament’s first match between Mexico and South Africa marked the start of the competition jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the first time in history.