The FIFA World Cup 2026 officially began on Thursday in Mexico City with a colourful opening ceremony featuring global music stars, traditional cultural performances and a packed Azteca Stadium witnessing Mexico’s opening victory over South Africa. More than 80,000 fans filled the iconic stadium, which hosted World Cup matches in 1970 and 1986. The tournament marks the first time Mexico has hosted football’s biggest event in 40 years and makes history as the first nation to stage matches at three separate men’s World Cups. The ceremony blended music, football and Mexican culture before the opening match. “Bienvenida a México. Welcome to Mexico,” a performer announced. “We are a nation of diversity, heritage and pride. Football carries the same heartbeat, uniting generations.” Global superstar Shakira headlined the event alongside J Balvin, Burna Boy and Danny Ocean. Mexican singer Fher Olvera performed the classic “Oye Mi Amor”, while renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli and K-pop artist EJAE sang the tournament’s official anthem, DNA. Grammy-winning South African star Tyla performed South Africa’s national anthem before kickoff. Performers dressed in indigenous-inspired clothing and traditional Mexican attire filled the pitch, while fireworks illuminated the stadium in the colours of the Mexican flag. Mexico Starts With Victory Amid Tight Security The celebrations continued when Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 to launch its campaign on a winning note. Fans arrived hours before kickoff, creating a festive atmosphere around the stadium. Javier Pérez, who attended the match with his family, described the experience as unforgettable. “We were lucky to get hospitality tickets and it’s a unique experience. I have never been to a World Cup before so to bring my family is wonderful,” he told the BBC. “I just want Mexico to get off on the right foot, win today and score a load of goals! And then we’ll see how far we can go!” Authorities deployed a heavy security presence around the 82,000-capacity venue. Mexican officials said nearly 200 hooded protesters broke away from two larger groups of around 800 demonstrators and clashed with police near the stadium. The unrest temporarily disrupted nearby metro services before security forces restored order. Protests Cast Shadow Over Global Celebration While football dominated headlines, activists used the global spotlight to highlight domestic issues. Teachers’ unions and families of people missing during Mexico’s long-running drug war staged demonstrations across the capital. The protests coincided with the opening of a tournament expected to attract billions of viewers worldwide. Mexico is co-hosting the World Cup alongside the United States and Canada. The two countries are scheduled to stage separate opening celebrations on Friday. FIFA has assembled a diverse lineup of artists for the tournament. Several performers also feature on the 18-track Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album. Despite isolated unrest outside the stadium, the focus inside remained firmly on football, music and celebration as the world’s biggest sporting event officially got underway.
254 People, One Giant Game: Canada Creates Foosball History
Canada has kicked off its FIFA World Cup celebrations in record-breaking fashion after hosting the world’s largest game of human foosball, bringing together hundreds of participants in a unique football-themed event near Toronto. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) organised the event on May 23 at Humber Polytechnic’s Lakeshore Campus West in Etobicoke, a district in Toronto. The initiative formed part of celebrations leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Canada will co-host alongside the United States and Mexico. Guinness World Records has officially confirmed the attempt as the largest human foosball match ever held. The event attracted 254 participants who took positions on giant horizontal poles designed to replicate the layout of a traditional tabletop foosball game. Players remained attached to the poles while attempting to manoeuvre a football and score goals against the opposing side. Organisers transformed a large outdoor field into an oversized version of the popular table game, creating a spectacle that drew spectators, football fans and community members. World Cup Excitement Builds in Canada The record-breaking event comes as Canada prepares to host matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first tournament to feature 48 teams and 104 matches. Toronto and Vancouver will serve as Canada’s host cities. Toronto is scheduled to stage six World Cup matches, including Canada’s opening game of the tournament. Officials said the human foosball challenge aimed to generate excitement ahead of the competition while encouraging community participation through sport. Neil Lumsden, Ontario’s Minister of Sport, highlighted the symbolic value of the event. “Soccer is about teamwork, energy and shared experience, and a human foosball Guinness World Records attempt brings those elements to life in a fun and unforgettable way,” he told Guinness World Records. Football has experienced rapid growth across Canada in recent years. Increased participation at youth and community levels, combined with Canada’s qualification for recent World Cups, has helped boost the sport’s popularity nationwide. The country also hopes the 2026 tournament will leave a lasting legacy through improved sporting infrastructure, tourism growth and greater community engagement. Guinness Confirms Historic Achievement Representatives from Guinness World Records reviewed the attempt and later confirmed that organisers had successfully broken the previous mark. The official recognition adds another milestone to the growing list of World Cup-related activities taking place across North America before the tournament begins. Human foosball events have gained popularity worldwide as entertainment attractions and team-building activities. However, organisers say no previous event matched the scale of the Ontario attempt. Participants described the challenge as physically demanding but highly entertaining because players had to coordinate movements while remaining attached to fixed poles, similar to figures in a foosball table. For organisers, the successful record attempt served as both a celebration of football culture and a preview of the enthusiasm expected when the FIFA World Cup arrives in Canada next year. With the countdown to the tournament underway, officials hope similar community-focused events will continue building momentum and inspiring new generations of football fans across the country.
