The iconic Estadio Azteca entered the record books by becoming the first stadium to host matches in three different FIFA World Cups.
The venue previously welcomed football’s biggest tournament in 1970 and 1986, making its return for the 2026 edition another historic chapter.
More than 80,000 fans filled the stadium as Mexico welcomed the world, creating an atmosphere that reflected the importance of the occasion.
Some of the best highlights of the night are below:
1. Tyla regales millions
The opening ceremony also celebrated the competing nations, with South African singer Tyla performing South Africa’s national anthem before the opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
Her appearance brought a strong cultural connection to the ceremony and gave the South African delegation a memorable moment on the global stage.
“The Azteca was not just a stadium on the opening night — it was a symbol of football history and global culture.”
2. Shakira and Burna Boy brought global entertainment to football’s biggest stage
The opening ceremony featured some of the world’s biggest music names, with Colombian superstar Shakira and Nigerian artist Burna Boy performing as part of the celebrations.
Their performances became some of the most discussed moments from the ceremony, as organisers combined football with international music.
fifa world cup // Instagram
The event showed how the World Cup has become more than a sporting competition, bringing together different cultures and entertainment from around the world.
3. The biggest World Cup in history opened with Mexican culture at the centre
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first edition to feature 48 teams, expanding from the previous 32-team format.
The tournament is being hosted across Mexico, the United States and Canada, with 104 matches planned across 16 host cities.
Before the football action began, Mexico used the global spotlight to showcase its identity. The opening ceremony celebrated Mexican heritage through traditional music, colourful performances, dance and cultural displays that reflected the country’s history and traditions.
The celebration highlighted Mexico’s famous connection with art, music and community, showing that the World Cup was not only about football but also about the culture of the host nation.
“The opening ceremony became a meeting point between football and Mexican tradition.”
4. Mexico ended a long wait with an opening-match victory
The hosts started their campaign with a 2–0 victory over South Africa, creating a memorable moment for Mexican supporters.
The win gave home fans a reason to celebrate as Mexico began its World Cup journey in front of a passionate home crowd.
The result added to the excitement of a night already filled with historic moments.
Fifa World Cup // Instagram
5. The opening match produced unusual drama with three red cards
The Mexico versus South Africa match became one of the most eventful World Cup opening matches after three players were sent off.
The disciplinary drama added another storyline to a match that already carried huge importance because it was the first game of the tournament.
“History, culture and competition came together as the World Cup entered a new era.”
