Performers participate within the opening ceremony earlier than the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Mexico and South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico Metropolis, Mexico, on June 11, 2026. — Reuters
MEXICO CITY: The Fifa World Cup 2026 kicks off Thursday with co-hosts Mexico taking up South Africa within the Estadio Azteca in Mexico Metropolis, launching a sprawling match of 48 groups that can final almost six weeks.
The extravaganza hosted by america, Mexico and Canada is the most important World Cup in historical past, stretching till the ultimate in New Jersey on July 19. It’s projected to generate a record-breaking $13 billion in complete income.
The official opening ceremony lit up the Estadio Azteca stadium earlier than the kickoff with Colombian famous person Shakira and Nigerian singer Burna Boy delighting the group with a efficiency of “Dai Dai”, the official track of the match.
The beginning of the motion on the pitch will seemingly come as a welcome reduction to soccer’s world governing physique Fifa, which has confronted stinging criticism over the eye-watering prices of tickets.
As well as, Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown has seen a high referee, Iranian workforce officers and followers refused entry to america.
Talking in Mexico Metropolis on Wednesday, Fifa president Gianni Infantino launched a spirited defence of the organisation of the match and dismissed criticism over visa points.
Infantino insisted that tickets — which in some instances have topped $30,000 — had been priced appropriately, citing a small variety of $60 tickets that have been made accessible in response to criticism.
“Let me just say that our entry price, which is 60 dollars, is the lowest entry price of any of the American sports in the play-off phases,” Infantino stated.
“Our average price, which is below 500 dollars, is again the lowest of the American sports on average.”
‘We do not management every part’
Infantino additionally performed down the controversy surrounding Somali World Cup referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry after arriving in Miami.
Fifa has since confirmed Artan, who the US State Division stated had “associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations”, will play no half within the match.
Shakira and Burna Boy carry out through the Fifa opening ceremony earlier than the match on June 11, 2026. — Reuters
“It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia,” Infantino stated.
“We don’t control everything… Sometimes it’s good to chill, relax, we work on everything, we try to solve everything.”
On Thursday, European soccer’s governing physique Uefa introduced that Artan had been chosen to referee its European Tremendous Cup, between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in August.
“Football is made to connect people, and Uefa wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills, which had earned him such a prestigious nomination,” stated Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin.
Fifa chief Infantino additionally portrayed Iran’s participation on the World Cup within the midst of its navy battle with the US as a victory for his organisation.
“People were saying Iran couldn’t come to the World Cup,” Infantino stated.
“There are challenges, it’s not easy, but I don’t know who else would have been able to ensure in these circumstances — which we could not influence — Iran could come and play.”
Infantino’s shut relationship with Trump has come below scrutiny however the Fifa chief lavished reward on the US president.
“Without his engagement and involvement, I think it would have been, simple as that, impossible to organize a World Cup in the United States,” Infantino stated of Trump.
Trump confirmed on Wednesday he plans to attend some World Cup matches, with out offering particulars.
“I spoke to Gianni this morning… he said there’s never been anything close” to the success of the approaching match, Trump stated.
Wall of noise
South Africa coach Hugo Broos warned his gamers to dam out a wall of sound through the opening match within the Estadio Azteca, a historic venue that hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals.
“They will have 85,000 Mexicans shouting and singing. But we have to focus on our game. And if we can do that… then we can have a good game,” the Belgian stated.
Mexico haven’t gained any of their seven appearances in a gap recreation. “We have to break the statistics,” coach Javier Aguirre stated.
“It will be another source of motivation.”
A whole lot of protesters returned to an space close to Azteca Stadium late Wednesday, most members of the family or relations of “disappeared people” alleged to have been killed or kidnapped by Mexican authorities or legal gangs.
Police arrange a one-mile (1.6km) safety perimeter forward of followers arriving on Thursday and stated they might enable peaceable protests, however solely ticket holders would be capable to entry the stadium.
South Korea and the Czech Republic play the second recreation on the opening day, in Guadalajara.
Spain, France and England are the favourites, whereas reigning champions Argentina will look to their 38-year-old talisman Lionel Messi to drive them to the ultimate.
