World Cup: Tournament officially begins after star-studded opening ceremony in Mexico City

After months of build up the 2026 World Cup has kicked off in Mexico City as ITV News Sports Editor Steve Scott reports

Co-hosts Mexico have won the first match of the 2026 World Cup after beating South Africa 2-0 in a game that saw three players sent off with red cards.

Two players from South Africa and one from Mexico received the cards, as the host nation went on to secure the first victory of the competition.

The largest World Cup in tournament history began on Thursday with a colourful and star-studded opening ceremony at the famous Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

Amid escalating protests and social tensions in Mexico’s capital, more than 80,000 fans made their way to Azteca Stadium, ahead of co-host Mexico's opening match against South Africa.

It got a much-needed facelift ahead of the 48-team tournament that Mexico is hosting alongside the United States and Canada.

The iconic venue will be the first stadium to host three World Cup openers — after doing so in the 1970 and 1986 tournaments.

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Under the shadow of a huge World Cup trophy replica, Mexican pop-rock band Mana were the first to take the stage for a musical performance.

They were followed by Venezuelan singer Danny Ocean and then Mexican artist Belinda.

Colombian singer J Balvin also gave a lengthy performance.

One of the highlights of the show was four-time Grammy winner Shakira treating fans to a performance of the official World Cup song 'Dai Dai' alongside Nigerian singer Burna Boy.

Colombian artist Shakira performed at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup. Credit: AP

It is the eighth opening match of a World Cup for the Mexicans, who had previously lost five and drawn the last two, including against South Africa in the 2010 World Cup.

South Africa is playing in its first World Cup since hosting the 2010 tournament. The Bafana Bafana also played in the 1998 and 2002 editions.

Mexico arrives with an eight-match unbeaten streak and has not lost since last November, when Paraguay beat them in a friendly.

Fher Olvera, lead singer of Mexican pop rock band Mana performs during the opening ceremony. Credit: AP

The Mexican side is led by the 67-year-old coach Javier Aguirre, who is in his third stint with the national team.

Thursday's opening ceremony is one of three and was created by the Italian producer responsible for this year's Winter Olympics.

Mexico's president Claudia Sheinbaum was not in attendance, after deciding to boycott the World Cup matches in solidarity with "ordinary Mexicans".

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