FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: The much-anticipated FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on Thursday night as co-hosts Mexico face South Africa in the tournament's opening match. Ahead of the high-stakes
clash in Mexico City, FIFA has lined up a star-studded opening ceremony featuring some of the world's biggest entertainers, with international music icon Shakira among the headline performers.
The ceremony is scheduled to begin around 90 minutes before kick-off and will be available to watch live across multiple platforms in India.
Notably, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will bring together 48 teams competing for football’s biggest prize, with a record 104 matches scheduled across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It will also mark the first time in the tournament’s history that three nations co-host the event.
Stay Tuned With Zee News English For Live Updates Of FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony And More
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 23:40:52 pm
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live Updates: Shakira performs 'Let's go'
Shakira performs 'Let's go,' the official World Cup song. And here comes Burna Boy who also features on the track.
Shakira, the Colombian icon has taken center stage to perform her World Cup anthem at the Opening Ceremony. pic.twitter.com/xexktMzjl3
— Futball Centa (@futballcenta) June 11, 2026
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 23:21:56 pm
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live Updates: Show Officially Starts
The 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony has officially begun in a packed Mexico City Stadium.
IT’S OFFICIAL: The 2026 FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony is underway in Mexico pic.twitter.com/N91RBgdWIQ
— Futball Centa (@futballcenta) June 11, 2026
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Thu, 11 Jun 2026 23:13:49 pm
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live Updates: Shakira's Long Association With FIFA World Cup
Shakira, the Colombian superstar is no stranger to a World Cup hit, having recorded 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)' for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, which marked the first time the tournament took place in Africa.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 23:11:14 pm
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live Updates: Shakira To Light Up Azteca Stadium
Shakira, who will perform at the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony at Azteca Stadium, will become the first artist ever to take the stage at the event five times.
The World Cup opening ceremony will last 90 minutes.
— Tommo (@Only1tommo) June 11, 2026
Shakira, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Belinda, Lila Downs, and many more artists are expected to perform. pic.twitter.com/2HZJ2aHBZA
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 22:43:13 pm
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Argentina On Top
Argentina are the new No 1 in the FIFA World rankings heading into 2026. FIFA World Cup. On the day the World Cup starts, FIFA released its latest world rankings, with Lionel Messi's Argentina returning to the top spot for the first time in 11 months.
Spain remain second in the rankings, while Thomas Tuchel's England sit fourth, ahead of both Portugal and Brazil. The only other change in the top 10 sees Morocco climb above the Netherlands to claim seventh place.
Scotland head into the tournament ranked 42nd in the world after moving up one spot and overtaking Serbia. New Zealand remain the lowest-ranked team at the World Cup, sitting 85th in the FIFA rankings.
FIFA Men's World Rankings Top Ten Teams:
1. Argentina
2. Spain
3. France
4. England
5. Portugal
6. Brazil
7. Morocco
8. Netherlands
9. Belgium
10. Germany
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 22:26:19 pm
FIFA World 2026 Opening Ceremony Live Updates: Venue For Tonight's Show
Pitchside at Mexico City Stadium. pic.twitter.com/yzQ9iHPZM0
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 11, 2026
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 22:13:53 pm
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Historic Azteca Stadium
Historically, the Azteca Stadium has witnessed some of the game's most unforgettable moments - from Pele lifting the trophy in 1970 to Diego Maradona's genius in 1986. And, Mexico vs South Africa is the FIFA World Cup opener tonight at the same venue.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 22:04:35 pm
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Repeat Of 2010 World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup edition gets underway with co-hosts Mexico facing South Africa at historic Azteca Stadium. Coincidentally, the Mexico-South Africa clash is a repeat of the opening game of the 2010 World Cup, when South Africa were the host nation.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:59:23 pm
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Golden Ball Contenders
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico - the first 48-team edition of the tournament - eyes are focused not just on the iconic trophy, but also on the individual masterpiece required to win the 'Golden Ball', the tournament's most prestigious individual honor. Historically awarded to the tournament's most outstanding player - cementing the legacies of icons like Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, and Lionel Messi - the race for the 2026 accolade is wide open.
With legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo possibly set for their final World Cup appearances, and a new generation spearheaded by teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal ready to make its mark, the race for glory is more open than ever.
READ MORE: FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Ball contenders: Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and more; check all top names
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:51:10 pm
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Four Quarters Instead Of Two Halves
For over a century, football has been defined as "a game of two halves" - ninety minutes of fluid, continuous play, interrupted only by a lonely 15-minute whistle in the middle. However, that classic description is about to change - at least for the biggest stage in the sport. As the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, that sacred tradition is officially being rewritten.
While the official rulebook still dictates two 45-minute halves, FIFA's recent mandate for compulsory three-minute 'hydration breaks' has functionally transformed the upcoming World Cup into a four-quarter game.
READ MORE: Explained: Why FIFA World Cup 2026 will have four quarters instead of two halves
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:34:08 pm
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: How To Watch In India
Indian fans won't have to miss a second of the music, culture, or football action.
TV Telecast: The opening ceremony and subsequent matches will be broadcast live across the UNITE8 Sports network (including UNITE8 Sports 1, UNITE8 Sports 1 HD, UNITE8 Sports 2, and UNITE8 Sports 2 HD),
Live Streaming: You can stream the events live on the Zee5 website and mobile app.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:16:55 pm
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Mexico City Ready For Big Event
Lighting up the night sky in Mexico City for the #FIFAWorldCup #NovaSkyStories pic.twitter.com/K3uW3iw2Y1
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 11, 2026
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 20:58:36 pm
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Shakira In 'Dai Dai' Song
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 20:44:08 pm
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Shakira Leads Star-Studded Performer Lineup
The grand opening at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City is themed around papel picado and traditional Mexican folklore.
Global icons Shakira and Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy will headline to perform the premiere of "Dai Dai", the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Song. Apart from Shakira and Burna Boy, the heavy-hitting Latin lineup includes J Balvin (joined by Ryan Castro), Maná, Tyla, Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, and Los Ángeles Azules.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 20:36:30 pm
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Opening-Ceremony Schedule
Because the tournament kicks off with opening matches in three different countries, FIFA is hosting three distinct celebrations right before each host nation plays its first game. The ceremonies are scheduled to begin approximately 90 minutes before kickoff.
Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca, Mexico) Thursday, June 11 10:30 PM IST - Mexico vs. South Africa
Toronto Stadium (BMO Field, Canada) Friday, June 12 11:00 PM IST - Canada vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina
Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium, USA) Saturday, June 13 5:00 AM IST - USA vs. Paraguay
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 20:16:09 pm
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Biggest Football World Cup Ever
The biggest spectacle in sports is back and it is bigger than ever. The FIFA World Cup 2026 is making history by expanding to 48 teams and is being co-hosted by three nations: Mexico, Canada, and the United States. To match the tournament's unprecedented scale, FIFA has ditched the traditional single-stadium kickoff in favor of a trilogy of opening ceremonies, with each host country getting its own star-studded curtain-raiser.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 20:06:41 pm
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Grand Show Before Kickoff
The much-anticipated FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on Thursday night as co-hosts Mexico face South Africa in the tournament's opening match. Ahead of the high-stakes clash in Mexico City, FIFA has lined up a star-studded opening ceremony featuring some of the world's biggest entertainers.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 20:02:22 pm
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Hello
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Stay tuned with Zee News English for all live updates of world's biggest football spectacle.
