The 2026 World Cup kicked off with a glitzy opening ceremony at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, where an emotionally charged crowd witnessed Shakira's return to the global stage. Here are five key takeaways from the opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
World Cup fever grips Mexico
Mexicans have waited 40 years to host a World Cup, and the pride of becoming the first nation to stage three tournaments was palpable. Despite road closures and protests from striking teachers and families of the disappeared, all 83,000 seats were filled 90 minutes before kick-off, dispelling Fifa's fears of delays. Fans endured arduous journeys, walking miles along closed motorways from early morning. The sight of thousands of sombreros thrown in the air and the first Mexican Wave in the 17th minute stirred even the biggest sceptics.
Shakira returns
Shakira headlined the opening ceremony, performing the official song Dai Dai alongside Burna Boy, J Balvin, and Danny Ocean. Though her new tune may not surpass Waka Waka, which has over 4.4 billion YouTube views and 1 billion Spotify downloads, her performance stole the show. The match was a reverse fixture of the 2010 opener, when South Africa and Mexico drew 1-1. Andrea Bocelli also performed the anthem DNA, but the lengthy procession of 48 flag bearers underscored the tournament's marathon nature.
Humble Gianni
Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who previously cast himself as a messianic figure and revelled in being called the 'King of Football', adopted a humbler tone. Facing US government requirements, he stressed that Fifa is just a sports organisation with little influence over immigration and security. This marks a shift from his hubristic past, including setting up an alternative to the Nobel peace prize.
Hungry hosts
Mexico capitalised on a sloppy South Africa side, scoring after nine minutes. With an extended five-week training camp for Liga MX players, they looked sharp. Wingers Roberto Alvarado and Julián Quiñones impressed, and the hosts dominated the first half. If Mexico and England win their groups, a last-16 meeting could be challenging for England.
Long haul
The opening game felt like a slog despite mild conditions. With mandatory three-minute hydration breaks at 22 degrees Celsius, the half-time whistle came after 55 minutes, with only four minutes of added time. Matches are likely to stretch over two hours, and hot, stoppage-filled contests could last even longer.
