The 2026 World Cup commenced with a spectacular opening ceremony, setting the stage for a tournament filled with emotion and intrigue. Mexico City's Azteca Stadium hosted the first match, marking the country's historic third time hosting the event.
Mexican Pride on Full Display
After a 40-year wait, Mexicans finally witnessed a World Cup on home soil. The pride was palpable throughout the city. Despite road closures and protests from striking teachers and families of the disappeared, all 83,000 seats were filled 90 minutes before kick-off. Fifa's concerns about delays proved unfounded as fans endured arduous journeys, walking miles along closed motorways from early morning. The sight of thousands of sombreros thrown in the air and the first Mexican wave in the 17th minute created a stirring spectacle that even skeptics found moving.
Shakira's Triumphant Return
Shakira headlined the opening ceremony, performing the official tournament song Dai Dai alongside Burna Boy, J Balvin, and Danny Ocean. While the new tune may not surpass her iconic Waka Waka, which remains a global anthem with over 4.4 billion YouTube views, her performance stole the show. Notably, this match was a reverse fixture of the 2010 opener between South Africa and Mexico, though vuvuzelas were mercifully absent. Andrea Bocelli also performed the World Cup anthem DNA, but the lengthy procession of 48 flag bearers underscored the marathon nature of this expanded tournament.
A Humble Gianni Infantino
Fifa president Gianni Infantino adopted a notably humble tone at this World Cup, contrasting with his messianic stance during the Qatar 2022 tournament. Confronted with the political and administrative demands of the US government, Infantino emphasized that Fifa is merely a sports organization with limited influence over immigration and security policy. This shift marks a significant change for a man who previously set up an alternative to the Nobel Peace Prize.
Hosts Impress in Victory
Mexico capitalized on a sloppy South Africa side, scoring after just seven minutes due to careless passing and poor goalkeeping. Under Javier Aguirre, the team benefited from a mandatory five-week training camp for Liga MX players, looking sharp from the start. Wingers Roberto Alvarado and Julián Quiñones, who scored, were particularly threatening. While South Korea and Czechia pose tougher challenges, Mexico's performance suggests they could be formidable opponents for England in the last 16 if both win their groups.
Long Games Ahead
Even in mild conditions with few stoppages, the opening game felt prolonged. Fifa's mandatory three-minute hydration breaks occurred despite 22-degree temperatures, and the referee didn't blow the half-time whistle until 55 minutes, with only four minutes of added time. It seems inevitable that matches will regularly exceed two hours, with hot conditions and multiple stoppages potentially extending games further.
