There are soccer nights after which there are nights like this. Eighty thousand individuals packed into one stadium, fireworks within the sky and a Colombian lady in the midst of all of it.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup opened on the Estadio Azteca on Thursday, June 11.
ManĂ¡, Belinda, J Balvin
The ceremony began simply earlier than 6 pm native time with a dance and theatrical efficiency tracing the roots of Mexican tradition — color, motion, a full home behind it. Then ManĂ¡ took the stage and the noise contained in the Azteca picked up quick.
Belinda, the Latin Grammy-nominated and about as standard because it will get on this nation, adopted, and the gang went up one other notch. Then J Balvin, who opened with “Que Calor†earlier than doing his verse from Cardi B’s “I Like It.â€Â
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli additionally featured among the many performers. An uncommon invoice, maybe, however for a event held throughout three international locations it made a form of sense.
‘Dai Dai’
World Cup opening ceremonies might be hit or miss. This one landed.
When Shakira walked out with Nigerian star Burna Boy to carry out “Dai Dai†— the official event music — the Azteca erupted. The music had crossed 100 million YouTube views simply final week. The 80,000 individuals within the stadium knew each phrase and it was one thing else. Dancers circled a large World Cup trophy duplicate on the pitch. Fireworks lit up the sky.Â
Shakira, four-time Grammy winner, delivered.
“It’s already a celebration in Mexico,†Ingrid Orozco, 40, one of many 80,000 inside the bottom, advised information company AFP.
A stadium in contrast to some other
The Estadio Azteca hosted the 1970 remaining and the 1986 remaining — Pelé’s Brazil, Maradona’s Argentina, the Hand of God, the Purpose of the Century. It has been renovated for this event however the historical past doesn’t change.Â
With Thursday’s ceremony, it turns into the primary stadium to host three separate World Cup editions.
104 video games, one winner
From right here it’s 104 matches throughout the US, Mexico and Canada — 48 nations, the largest World Cup in historical past. The ultimate is in New Jersey on July 19.
It began Thursday evening in Mexico Metropolis.
