Colombian star Shakira and Nigerian singer Burna Boy have kicked off the FIFA World Cup 2026 with electric performances at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca ahead of the opening match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa.
It was a lively atmosphere outside the stadium, full of mariachi bands, fireworks, and traditional costumes.
Roads were closed for several kilometres, forcing fans to walk an hour or more to the 80,000-capacity stadium.
Dotted along the route were bands and dancers, creating a festive march, while protesters were kept well away.
It was orderly upon arriving at the gate, with a few fans holding signs, hoping someone would sell them a last-minute ticket.
One Mexican fan told SBS News they had paid $5,700 for a seat, but it was worth it if Mexico won.
Dancers twirled around a giant model of the World Cup trophy as fireworks went off inside the historic stadium that hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals and has been renovated for this year’s tournament.
The highlight of the ceremony was Shakira and Burna Boy performing Dai Dai, the official song of the tournament, eliciting roars from the crowd.
While there was a festive atmosphere inside the stadium, chaotic scenes unfolded in the centre of Mexico City, where thousands of fans pushed and shoved as they attempted to enter the official World Cup fan zone shortly before kickoff at 5am Friday AEST.
Colombian singer J Balvin and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli were among the other performers before kickoff as the noise levels ramped up.
Access to the fan zone in Zocala Plaza was hampered by metal barriers erected in recent days to prevent protesting teachers from reaching the area.
“Stop pushing and shoving, there are children here, you’re like animals!” a city official shouted through a megaphone as he tried to control access to the venue where the opening game was to be shown on a giant screen.
Some fans threw water bottles and hurled insults at police as well as chanting in support of the Mexican team.
“It’s crazy,” said Javier Maciel, a 25-year-old fan.
“There could have been better organisation.”
The local government announced on social media that the site was “full” and suggested fans go to other plazas.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had been expected to watch the game at the fan zone, but cast doubt on her presence following days of protests in the area by teachers demanding pay rises.
Mexico dominate South Africa in opening match
Mexico cruised to a 2-0 win over a lacklustre South Africa, which was reduced to nine men following two red cards.
The co-hosts dominated the tournament’s opening match, with Julián Quiñones opening the scoring with a strike from the edge of the penalty area in the ninth minute.
Veteran 35-year-old striker Raúl Jiménez added a second — his first World Cup goal in four tournaments — after nodding a header in the 67th minute.
South Africa never looked like spoiling the opening day fiesta, and finished the match with just nine men after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off.
After each goal, a deafening roar erupted from the stands of the Estadio Azteca, the footballing cathedral that has become the only stadium to host games at three different World Cups.
There was still time for late drama when Mexican defender César Montes was shown a red card for a clumsy challenge on Khulisa Mudau on the edge of the penalty area.
With three red cards in the opening match, this tournament is already on track to eclipse Qatar 2022, where four red cards were shown across the entire tournament.
South Korea will take on Czechia at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico at 12pm AEST in the second match of this World Cup.
This year’s tournament, hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, is the biggest World Cup in history, with 104 matches across more than five weeks.
Source: SBS News
--Agencies
