Opening Ceremony Link:
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World Cup Opening Ceremony in Mexico: Shakira Slate to Headline Star-Studded Lineup
Mexico is set to host the tournament’s highly anticipated curtain-raiser, with the Mexico vs. South Africa clash unfolding at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Standing as the largest stadium in Latin America, the historic venue boasts a staggering capacity of nearly 87,500 spectators.
The opening ceremony will kick off 90 minutes prior to the opening whistle. Four-time Grammy winner and the undisputed "Queen of Latin Music," Shakira, will headline the pre-match show, joining forces with Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy to perform the tournament’s official song, "Dai Dai." Adding to the grand spectacle, legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli will share the stage with EJAE—the multi-award-winning singer-songwriter decorated with Oscar, Grammy, and Golden Globe accolades—for a live rendition of the official World Cup anthem, “DNA.”
Rounding out the star-studded program are South African breakout singer-songwriter Tyla and Colombian superstar J Balvin, both featured prominently in the lineup. The star-heavy roster further features celebrated Mexican artists Alejandro Fernández, Lila Downs, and Belinda, alongside Venezuelan hitmaker Danny Ocean. Legendary Mexican pop-rock band Maná and the iconic musical group Los Ángeles Azules are also confirmed on the official performance bill.
In the first match of the World Cup, can host Mexico get off to a winning start?
As a highly anticipated showdown in Group A, hosts Mexico face resilient African side South Africa at Estadio Azteca. Nicknamed El Tri, Mexico is burdened with fervent expectations from home supporters. Relying on a squad mixing seasoned European league campaigners and young talents, the team aims to gain a firm foothold for qualification at the early stage of the tournament. Although South Africa lacks sufficient squad depth for elite competitions, its solid tactical chemistry built around domestic players makes it a dangerous dark horse. The biggest highlight of this game is whether Mexico can break through South Africa’s low defensive block with relentless high pressing. When it comes to key players, Fulham forward Raúl Jiménez stands out for his aerial dominance and finishing skills inside the box, serving as Mexico’s main weapon to crack the defence. South Africa’s backline will have to go all out to contain the Premier League striker’s threats from both headers and ground shots.However, El Tri's form has improved this year, holding European powerhouses Portugal and Belgium to respectable draws, before putting together a three-match winning streak against Ghana, Australia and Serbia, thrashing the latter 5-1 in Toluca last Friday.
Location: Mexico City ,Mexico
Stadium: Mexico City Stadium
Local Kick-off Time: 1 p.m.
EDT Kick-off Time:3 p.m.
BST Kick-off Time: 8 p.m.
CEST Kick-off Time: 9 p.m.
Click here to watch the match LIVE now! 🔴 ▶
Click here to watch the match LIVE now! 🔴 ▶
Team News
Mexico News:
Mexico have made history before even kicking a ball at this summer’s eagerly-anticipated tournament, as they are the first nation to host the men’s World Cup three times, adding 2026 (with the United States and Canada) to their legendary standalone editions in 1970 and 1986.Head coach Javier Aguirre is preparing to lead El Tri into his third World Cup across three separate stints at the helm. Appointed in 2024, the 67-year-old has inherited a side desperate to make amends for their dismal Qatar 2022 campaign, in which they failed to reach the knockout rounds for the first time since 1978.Ranked 14th in the world by FIFA, Mexico bypassed the rigours of CONCACAF qualification as co-hosts. Following their CONCACAF Nations League and Gold Cup triumphs - winning the latter in July last year - they suffered a post-silverware hangover, failing to win any of their final six friendly matches of 2025 (D4 L2).
Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is hoping to become the first player to compete at six World Cups this summer, but the 40-year-old faces stern competition from Raul Rangel for a start between the sticks on Thursday.Captain Edson Alvarez is set to earn his 99th international cap at centre-back alongside Cesar Montes, while Aguirre has a big decision to make over whether to start 17-year-old sensation Gilberto Mora in midfield, or opt for a more experienced head in Orbelin Pineda or Luis Chavez.New Wolves signing Raul Jimenez will become Mexico’s joint-second all-time leading goalscorer (along with Jared Borgetti on 46 goals) if he find the net once against South Africa.The 35-year-old striker is likely to be joined in attack by Roberto Alvarado and Julian Quinones, the latter scored 33 goals in just 31 Saudi Pro League games for Al-Qadsiah to win the division’s Golden Boot for 2025-26.
South Africa News:
South Africa have landed in North America for their fourth World Cup appearance, marking their return to the prestigious tournament for the first time since hosting the event 16 years ago.Their arrival ends a lengthy period on the sidelines following three consecutive failed qualification attempts for the 2014, 2018 and 2022 editions.Bafana Bafana punched their ticket to this summer’s global spectacle following a dramatic conclusion to CAF qualifying. Their 3-0 final-round victory over Rwanda, coupled with Nigeria thrashing group leaders Benin 4-0, helped them to secure top spot with 18 points from 10 matches (W5 D3 L2), despite being docked three points for fielding an ineligible player in their home win over Lesotho.Managed by Belgian boss Hugo Broos since 2021, South Africa enter the tournament as the 11th highest-ranked African nation and 60th overall in the FIFA standings, with the best World Cup betting sites pricing Bafana Bafana as outsiders to advance from Group A.Since reaching the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations at the beginning of the year, they have endured a four-match winless run in friendly fixtures.
South Africa, Aubrey Modiba is in contention to start at left-back after recovering from a hamstring injury and completing a full training session earlier this week, while Ime Okon and Mbekezeli Mbokazi could be selected to start at the heart of the defence.Teboho Mokoena, Thalente Mbatha and Yaya Sithole are all set to link arms in a three-man midfield, with Broos likely to deploy a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation that allows Khuliso Mudau and Modiba to provide width as full-backs.Oswin Appollis directly contributed to a team-high six goals in World Cup qualifying (two goals, four assists) and the Orlando Pirates winger could provide support in attack for Burnley striker Lyle Foster, who scored in the 1-1 draw with Jamaica last time out.
