World Cup 2026 begins with glamour & drama in Mexico (photos)
The stadium was transformed into a festival of color and sound as fans witnessed the beginning of football’s biggest event.
KATHMANDU: The FIFA World Cup 2026 officially began with a vibrant and historic opening ceremony held at the Mexico City Stadium on Wednesday night, marking the start of the world’s first-ever 48-team tournament hosted across three nations.
The opening ceremony in Mexico City turned into a global celebration of music and culture, featuring electrifying performances by international stars including Shakira, Burna Boy, J Balvin, and Tyla.
The stadium was transformed into a festival of color and sound as fans witnessed the beginning of football’s biggest event.
Host nation Mexico made a winning start on the pitch, defeating South Africa 2–0 in the tournament’s opening match.
However, the game was overshadowed by disciplinary drama, with three red cards issued. South Africa’s Spefelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were both sent off, while Mexico’s César Montes also received a red card in the closing stages.
The World Cup action will continue on June 12 in the United States, where a parallel opening ceremony is scheduled in Los Angeles.
The U.S. celebration is expected to highlight the country’s cultural diversity and entertainment industry before the host nation faces Paraguay in its opening match.
Meanwhile, Canada will also launch its World Cup festivities in Toronto, showcasing national identity as it prepares to host matches in the tournament for the first time in history.
With three host nations sharing the spotlight, the expanded World Cup has begun with high drama, global entertainment, and early controversy on the field.
