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2026 World Cup Kicks Off with Star-Studded Inaugural Ceremony in Mexico City
🇲🇽 Mexico /Sports

2026 World Cup Kicks Off with Star-Studded Inaugural Ceremony in Mexico City

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The 2026 World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico City will feature a star-studded lineup of musical artists.
  • Headlining the event is Shakira, performing the official anthem with Burna Boy, alongside other notable performers like J Balvin and Maná.
  • The ceremony will be broadcast globally on various television and streaming platforms.

Minutes before the inaugural whistle blows at the Estadio CDMX, FIFA is set to unveil an opening show featuring some of music's most recognized figures for the 2026 World Cup. The event promises a spectacular display to mark the beginning of the first-ever joint tournament hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

Leading the musical ensemble is global superstar Shakira, who will perform the official World Cup anthem, "Dai Dai," alongside Nigerian artist Burna Boy. The lineup also includes prominent artists such as J Balvin, Belinda, Maná, Los Ángeles Azules, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, and Alejandro Fernández, promising a vibrant celebration of music and culture.

The spectacle is scheduled to commence at 11:00 AM, with millions of fans worldwide anticipated to tune in. The opening ceremony is considered one of the year's most significant events, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the three host nations.

Fans can watch the inauguration live across multiple platforms. TelevisaUnivision will broadcast on Canal 5 and Las Estrellas (Canal 2), while TV Azteca will air it on channel 7. The specialized sports signal TUDN and streaming services ViX and ViX+ will also provide coverage, ensuring a global audience can witness the kickoff of the tournament.

"We are ready!"

— ShakiraShakira's statement after a week of rehearsals for the World Cup 2026 opening ceremony in Mexico City.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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