Hosted jointly by Mexico, Canada and the United States, the expanded tournament features 48 national teams for the first time. Through music, art, and traditional culture, the opening ceremony told the story of Mexico, a country that honors its heritage while looking to the future.
The star-studded show featured singers Shakira and Burna Boy performing "Dai Dai", the tournament's official song.
FIFA's decision to place artists from Latin America and Africa at the center of the ceremony reflects football's global reach and its role in connecting cultures across continents.
One of the ceremony's distinctive features was the direct participation of fans in the stadium. Spectators not only watched the event but also became part of the performance through some interactive activities specially designed for the opening ceremony.
The celebration concluded with a fireworks display that lit up the sky above Azteca Stadium. The appearance of the World Cup trophy at the center of the arena marked the official inauguration of the tournament.
Azteca Stadium became the first venue to host matches at three different FIFA World Cups, having previously hosted in 1970 and 1986.
Breaking with tradition, the 2026 World Cup is being launched through a three-part opening celebration spread over two days. Following Thursday's ceremony in Mexico City, Canada and the United States will stage their own opening ceremonies and opening matches on Friday, June 12.
The tournament will run for 39 days, concluding with a final match in the New York-New Jersey region on July 19.
