Show Caption
Editor's note: Follow along live for 2026 World Cup opener In Mexico City!The 2026 World Cup begins with a star-studded opening ceremony at the Estadio Azteca before Mexico faces South Africa in the opening match on Thursday, June 11.Shakira and Burna Boy will perform "Dai Dai," the official song of the 2026 tournament while Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná and Tyla are also set to play a role in the festivities.The opening ceremony is set to begin at about 1:30 p.m. ET, 90 minutes before El Tri take the field for a rematch of the 2010 World Cup's opener in Johannesburg. The United States and Canada will have their own opening ceremonies before the countries' matches on Friday, June 12.Stay tuned for live updates from the opening ceremony in Mexico City:Buy Mexico World Cup tickets!Watch: USA TODAY Sports live as protests occur as fans arrive in Mexico City for FIFA World CupUSA TODAY Sports is on the grounds live in Mexico City as fans arrive for the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony and later the match between Mexico and South Africa.Protests have began to spill out as fans made their arrivals. Watch it live on USA TODAY Sports' YouTube channel:Where to watch World Cup opening ceremonyDate: Thursday, June 11Time: 1:30 p.m. ETTV: FOX, TelemundoStream: FOX One, Fubo, Peacock (Spanish)Watch 2026 World Cup on FuboWhat time is World Cup opening ceremony today?Thursday's World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico City is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. ET – 90 minutes before kickoff of the Mexico-South Africa match.Dai Dai music videoWorld Cup opening ceremony performersMexico is up first with its opening ceremonies on June 11. Maná, Alejandro Fernández, Belinda and Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Tyla, Burna Boy, J Balvin, Shakira, Burna Boy and Danny Ocean are slated to perform at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.Mexico World Cup scheduleJune 11 vs. South Africa – 3 p.m. ET, Mexico City – BUY TICKETSJune 18 vs. South Korea – 9 p.m. ET, Guadalajara – BUY TICKETSJune 24 vs. Czechia – 9 p.m. ET, Mexico City – BUY TICKETSWorld Cup host cities and travel guidesWhere is the World Cup being held? And what should you do when you visit each of the 16 cities? We have you covered!AtlantaBostonDallas-Fort WorthGuadalajaraHoustonKansas CityLos AngelesMexico CityMonterreyMiamiNew York-New JerseyPhiladelphiaSan Francisco Bay AreaSeattleTorontoVancouverWorld Cup groups 2026: Predictions and previewsGroup A (Mexico) | Group B | Group C | Group D (USMNT) | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H | Group I | Group J | Group K | Group LWorld Cup inauguration time, Inauguracion Mundial 2026The World Cup inauguration festivities begin at 1:30 p.m. ET at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.What time is World Cup opening ceremony central time?Thursday's opening ceremony is set to begin at 12:30 p.m. Central time .Has Mexico ever won a World Cup?El Tri has never won the World Cup and the team's best-ever finish was a trip to the quarterfinals in 1970 and 1986 – both tournaments hosted by Mexico.Where is the Mexico vs South Africa game?Thursday's World Cup opener is behind held at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, the famed venue that hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals and underwent massive renovations ahead of the 2026 tournament.
