2026 World Cup opening match
Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in the 2026 World Cup opener at Estadio Azteca on June 11, with Julián Quiñones scoring the tournament's first goal in the 9th minute and Shakira headlining the opening ceremony.
The context
The 2026 World Cup kicked off on June 11, 2026, at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City with a night to remember. Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in a match full of drama: Julián Quiñones’ 9th-minute opener was the tournament’s very first goal, followed by Raúl Jiménez’s decisive header in the second half. The game grew increasingly heated near the end — three red cards were shown, leaving South Africa with nine men. Before the match, Shakira and Burna Boy performed “Dai Dai,” their official World Cup anthem, to over 80,000 fans, alongside an all-star lineup that included Maná, J Balvin, Belinda, and Tyla.
People also ask
- What was the result of the 2026 World Cup opening match?
- Who scored the first goal of the 2026 World Cup?
- Where is the opening game for the World Cup 2026?
- Who performed at the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony?
- What is the official song of the 2026 World Cup?
- Who is opening the World Cup ceremony in 2026?
- What time was the World Cup opening ceremony in 2026?
- How expensive is a 2026 World Cup ticket?
- Which countries are banned from the World Cup 2026?
- Will Messi play WC in 2026?
- Is Ronaldo playing in the World Cup 2026?
- What is the world cup schedule for 2026?
- Who is performing at the World Cup closing ceremony 2026?
- Is there a World Cup opening ceremony?
- What is the first World Cup game of 2026?
- Which team plays the first match in 2026?
- What games will be played in Miami in 2026?
- What was the result of the 2026 World Cup opening match?#
- Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 on June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Julián Quiñones scored the tournament's first-ever goal in the 9th minute after Sphephelo Sithole lost possession, and Raúl Jiménez headed home a second in the second half — his first World Cup goal. South Africa finished with nine men after three red cards, including Themba Zwane (83rd minute, straight red via VAR for striking Alvarado) and César Montes of Mexico in stoppage time.
- Who scored the first goal of the 2026 World Cup?#
- Julián Quiñones of Mexico scored the first goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the 9th minute against South Africa at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, on June 11, 2026.
- Where is the opening game for the World Cup 2026?#
- The opening match was played at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico, on June 11, 2026. Mexico won 2-0 against South Africa.
- Who performed at the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony?#
- Shakira and Nigerian artist Burna Boy headlined the Mexico City opening ceremony on June 11 at Estadio Azteca, performing 'Dai Dai,' the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem they co-wrote. The full lineup also included Maná, J Balvin, Belinda, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, and Tyla. Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and EJAE performed 'DNA,' the secondary official anthem.
- What is the official song of the 2026 World Cup?#
- The official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is 'Dai Dai,' co-written and performed by Shakira and Burna Boy. It debuted live at the Estadio Azteca opening ceremony on June 11, 2026.
- Who is opening the World Cup ceremony in 2026?#
- Shakira and Burna Boy opened the 2026 World Cup ceremony at Estadio Azteca with 'Dai Dai,' their co-written official tournament anthem. They were joined by Maná, J Balvin, Belinda, Tyla, and others.
- What time was the World Cup opening ceremony in 2026?#
- The opening ceremony began approximately 90 minutes before the 3:00 PM ET kickoff on June 11, 2026 — around 1:30 PM ET (7:30 PM in Spain / 21:30 CEST) at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
- How expensive is a 2026 World Cup ticket?#
- Official ticket prices ranged from roughly $50 for early group-stage matches to over $1,000 for the final. FIFA used a tiered pricing system, with the most affordable options for group games in smaller host cities.
- Which countries are banned from the World Cup 2026?#
- Russia remains suspended from FIFA competition due to the invasion of Ukraine and did not participate in the 2026 World Cup. No other FIFA member associations were formally banned from the 2026 edition.
- Will Messi play WC in 2026?#
- Yes. Lionel Messi, 38 (turning 39 during the tournament), was confirmed in Argentina's 26-man World Cup squad. It is his sixth and likely final World Cup, as defending champions Argentina aim to retain the title.
- Is Ronaldo playing in the World Cup 2026?#
- Yes. Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, was confirmed in Portugal's squad for the 2026 World Cup — his sixth appearance at the tournament, matching Messi's record.
- What is the world cup schedule for 2026?#
- The tournament runs June 11 to July 19, 2026. The group stage involves 48 teams across 12 groups, followed by a new Round of 32, Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey on July 19.
- Who is performing at the World Cup closing ceremony 2026?#
- FIFA confirmed Shakira, Madonna, and BTS as co-headliners for the halftime show at the 2026 World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
- Is there a World Cup opening ceremony?#
- Yes. The opening ceremony took place at Estadio Azteca on June 11, 2026, before the Mexico vs. South Africa match. It was a large-scale show with international artists including Shakira, Burna Boy, J Balvin, and Maná, watched by over 80,000 fans in the stadium.
- What is the first World Cup game of 2026?#
- The first game was Mexico vs. South Africa on June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca. Mexico won 2-0.
- Which team plays the first match in 2026?#
- Mexico and South Africa played the first match of the 2026 World Cup. Mexico won 2-0.
- What games will be played in Miami in 2026?#
- Miami's Hard Rock Stadium is hosting group-stage matches and potentially knockout-stage games. The specific match-by-match schedule is on the official FIFA website (fifa.com).
Sources
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