The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially kicked off on June 11 in Mexico City with an opening ceremony at the Azteca Stadium featuring Shakira performing the tournament song "Dai Dai" alongside other artists including J Balvin, Burna Boy, Danny Ocean, and Fher Olvera [1, 2, 3]. The ceremony preceded the first match of the expanded tournament, Mexico versus South Africa, played before a nearly full stadium of 83,000 fans despite protests and travel issues [1, 3]. Mexican singer Fernández performed the Mexican national anthem and South African singer Tyla performed her country's anthem [1].
Mexico is co-hosting the tournament alongside the United States and Canada, marking its third consecutive World Cup hosting appearance since 1994 [1, 4, 5, 3]. The 2026 World Cup runs from June 11 through July 19 and features 48 teams competing across 16 host cities—an expansion from the previous 32-team format [4, 5].
The opening match saw Mexico battle South Africa in Group A, which also includes South Korea and the Czech Republic, making it one of the tournament’s most competitive groups [4, 5, 6, 7]. South Korea enters the tournament with a record 11 consecutive World Cup qualifications since 1986, while the Czech Republic qualified through playoffs relying on players like Patrik Schick and Tomas Soucek [4, 5, 6, 7]. South Africa returned to the World Cup for the first time since 2010 after overcoming a 3-point deduction in qualifiers, led by star player Lyle Foster and coach Hugo Broos employing a defensive counterattack strategy [4, 5, 6, 7].
Mexico hopes to break its streak of seven consecutive tournaments since 1994 without advancing past the round of 16 [6, 7]. Veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa matched a record by playing in his sixth World Cup, tying with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi [4, 5, 6].
In separate opening ceremonies on June 12, the United States and Canada will officially start their tournaments in their respective host cities [1, 8, 3]. Canada, hosting matches in Vancouver and Toronto, fields its strongest men's team ever and aims to advance beyond the group stage for the first time, despite star Alphonso Davies being injured for the opening match against Bosnia-Herzegovina [8, 9]. Canadian coach Jesse Marsch noted Davies’ uncertain return after a leg injury [9]. Canadian journalist Har Johal said, "Canada is often overlooked, we will be fine about that. We will smile, be polite, and allow the countries down south take the headlines. This is a great generation, the best Canadian team we have ever had." [8]
The United States, in Group D with Turkey, Australia, and Paraguay, boasts a "golden generation" led by coach Mauricio Pochettino and key players like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Folarin Balogun, and Timothy Weah [10]. Turkey returns to the World Cup after 24 years, while Australia aims to continue its streak of six consecutive appearances with a defense anchored by Harry Souttar [10]. Paraguay has a sharp defensive counterattack style and notably defeated Brazil and Argentina in qualifiers [10].
The tournament will continue through July 19, with matches held in cities across the three host countries. The next fixtures after Mexico's opener will see the United States and Canada begin play starting June 12 in separate ceremonies and matches [1, 8, 3].
