Mexico vs South Africa LIVE – World Cup 2026: Shakira headlines opening ceremony ahead of blockbuster first game

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THE World Cup gets underway TODAY as Mexico face South Africa.

Our action comes from the iconic Estadio Azteca and the co-hosts arrive in Mexico City full of confidence and unbeaten in eight games.

But before the game, Shakira and Burna Boy will take to the pitch to perform the official World Cup anthem in a star-studded opening ceremony.

And so it begins...

Biggest-ever World Cup FINALLY gets underway against a backdrop of ticket chaos, Iran war and Ebola outbreak fears

Eight years have passed since the joint USA-Canada-Mexico bid to host the 2026 World Cup was successful.

Mexico will kick off the competition against South Africa on Thursday afternoon, with the final set for July 19 in the shadows of New York City.

The build-up has largely focused on the issues off the field, such as ticket prices, transport issues, and war.

But the chaos is only just beginning.

READ MORE from Sunni Upal

YE Sports Politics Trump — President Donald Trump with Fifa boss Gianni Infantino Credit: AP

The Wild Cup...

Cartel chaos, riots in the streets and 133million diehard fans – Mexico to kickoff World Cup under weight of a nation

MEXICO is gearing up to kick off the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the midst of a dark underbelly of drug cartel violence, mass protests, and forced disappearances.

The country is home to approximately 133 million passionate soccer fans bursting with national pride for El Tri, who are set to host South Africa in the tournament’s opening game.

Mexican fans are revered worldwide as some of the most diehard fans of the game of soccer.

The team’s shocking 2018 win over the then-defending World Cup champions Germany triggered an artificial earthquake in Mexico City.

READ MORE from Israel Salas-Rodriguez.

Mexican soccer fans queue for FIFA Fan Fest in Mexico City ahead of World Cup opener — . Credit: Reuters

The road ahead...

So before we get to today's opening ceremony and some of the issues leading into this World Cup, let's map out the next SIX weeks of soccer.

This will be a World Cup of truly epic scale.

A record 104 matches, played across 16 cities in three countries.

Nothing like it has ever been tried before. And we can all see why.

The final will take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

FBL-WC-2026-MEX-RSA-FANS — Mexican fans cheer for their team in the fan zone ahead of the opening game Credit: AFP

The World Cup is completed...

It may never get better than this. I wasn't too sure about the spread out nature of this World Cup and having games in Mexico as well as US and Canada.

But this photo is everything.

Mexico v South Africa: Group A - FIFA World Cup 2026 — . Credit: Getty

It's finally here!

The waiting is over… well almost.

In just two hours from now - the biggest and grandest World Cup ever will officially be underway.

Good afternoon everyone and thank you for your company. Delighted to be able to bring you coverage of the start if this football festival.

We are down in Mexico City for the start of this World Cup today for a repeat of the opening game back in 2010. Co-hosts Mexico take on South Africa in a couple hours from now.

Before then, we have an opening ceremony to get to. So sit back and relax.