2026 World Cup Opening Ceremony live updates: Shakira, Burna Boy, Alanis Morissette among performers

Across Mexico and Canada, the World Cup starts the festivities with a star-studded lineup

On the pitch, the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially kicks off when Mexico and South Africa start moving from the center circle, there's plenty to get the tournament underway before that when the World Cup officially kicks off with an opening ceremony at 1:30 p.m. ET. With this already set to be the biggest World Cup in history with 48 teams and an astounding 104 games, it has to have a major opening ceremony as well.

Mexico is the first nation to host three World Cups as they join the United States and Canada as co-hosts for a North American tournament. While technically, each host nation will have their own opening ceremony, only one gets to do it first, and that's Mexico, which will feature the World Cup queen herself, Shakira, alongside Burna Boy, Alejandro Fernandez, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Angeles Azules, Mana, Tyla, Ryan Castro, and Salma Hayek Pinaut.

Follow live updates on the Mexico vs. South Africa World Cup opening match

How do I watch the opening ceremony?

The ceremony starts at 1:30 p.m. ET, and it will be broadcast on Fox in the USA, and you can stream the games on fubo (try for free).

Follow along as CBS Sports has updates from all the action:

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[Jun 11, 2026 at 3:06 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

For the actual game, Sandra Herrera has you covered for what should be a great match. Let's get this show on the road!

[Jun 11, 2026 at 2:57 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

The World Cup trophy has entered the pitch, and so have the teams. Let's get this show on the road, it's time for some soccer!

[Jun 11, 2026 at 2:51 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

As Mexico was announced during the procession, the roof would've come off the Azteca if it had one from the noise that the crowd made. It's going to be a fun atmosphere for this one to kick things off. Now it's time for the World Cup anthem DNA to be performed. 

[Jun 11, 2026 at 2:47 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

While it's no Shakira, it's still special to see all the teams who will be taking part in the World Cup be announced, including the four countries participating for the first time, Jordan, Cabo Verde, Curacao, and Uzbekistan. 

[Jun 11, 2026 at 2:31 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Mexico are on the pitch, and it's feeling real.

[Jun 11, 2026 at 2:22 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

We expected nothing less than a grand opening, and Estadio Azteca provided just that!

[Jun 11, 2026 at 2:04 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

That was definitely a kick starter for today's match. Hopefully, the game will provide as many fireworks as those that popped off at Mexico City Stadium following Shakira's performance. 

[Jun 11, 2026 at 2:02 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

Weeks before the World Cup began, Colombian artist Shakira was invited to create an official tournament anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and perform at the opening ceremony. It's her third anthem and time participating. She performed the new song "Dai Dai" with Burna Boy to close out the opening ceremony.

[Jun 11, 2026 at 2:00 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Just like Mariah Carey says when it's officially Christmas season, Shakira is the sign that the World Cup is here for real. As she performed "Dai Dai" with Burna Boy in front of a MASSIVE World Cup trophy, it's impossible not to get goosebumps and feel FOMO from not being in Mexico City right now. But the World Cup is here, folks, strap in because it's gonna be a ride!

[Jun 11, 2026 at 1:55 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

Today's opening ceremony began with Mexico honoring its indigenous roots, highlighting Aztec culture. Legendary Mexican rock band Mana carried off the show with Oye Mi Amor, followed by performances by Danny Ocean, Los Angeles Azules with traditional Ballet Folklorico dancers, and some Labubus introducing J Balvin... now it's time for Shakira and Burna Boy!

[Jun 11, 2026 at 1:54 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

2026 is quite a time when we've got Labubu's at the World Cup opening ceremony. I may not get them but it does make for good television.

[Jun 11, 2026 at 1:27 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Seriously, how can you not enjoy a Yamal Walmart sighting?

[Jun 11, 2026 at 1:22 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Mexico: Raul Rangel; Israel Reyes, Cesar Montes, Johan Vasquez, Jesus Gallardo, Erik Lira, Roberto Alvarado, Brian Gutierrez, Alvaro Fidalgo, Julian Quinones; Raul Jimenez

South Africa: Ronwen Williams; Khuliso Mudau, Ime Okon, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba; Thalente Mbatha, Teboho Mokoena, Oswin Appollis, Relebohile Mofokeng, Tshepang Moremi; Lyle Foster

[Jun 11, 2026 at 1:05 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

With situations such as Iran needing to move their training base out of the United States to Tijuana, to referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan being denied entry into the United States, it's impossible not to look at the overarching backdrop of this World Cup, especially when Gianni Infantino's response was,

"It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia. Again, we don't control everything. We try, we will discuss, we will speak, we will see. Sometimes it's good to chill, relax, we work on everything, we try to solve everything," Infantino said in his press conference ahead of the tournament. "Sometimes, to immediately start screaming and shouting has the opposite effect of finding a solution. Believe me when I tell you, we always try to find solutions. But we need to respect we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces. We are a sports organization."

But while taking that into account and seeing the reactions of America with these teams in their backyards, it's impossible not to get excited for the tournament. When a man from Lawrence, Kansas, is thanking Algerians for being there, soccer dads are trying to buy the giant display balls at DICKS, and people are discovering American culture for the first time, that's just beautiful stuff. Mexico is among the meccas of soccer, and it'll be a great start to kick this off at the Azteca -- sorry, Mexico City Stadium -- while we can't ignore what's going on around the tournament, it is possible to balance that with the good things that are unfolding as well in what should still bring joy.

[Jun 11, 2026 at 12:45 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Oh, we're gonna have a CROWD in Mexico City to kick this thing off.

[Jun 11, 2026 at 12:30 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Sitting 20th, here's what Francesco Porizo has to say:

"They will become the first-ever country to host the World Cup three times, and both times they hosted it, they reached the quarterfinals, their best result."

FIFA World Cup 2026 Power Rankings: USMNT hold steady ahead of opener vs. Paraguay: Portugal rise

Francesco Porzio

[Jun 11, 2026 at 12:15 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Cristiano Ronaldo and other 40-year-olds set to make 2026 World Cup the oldest ever

Chuck Booth

[Jun 11, 2026 at 12:00 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Sandra Herrera has you covered there:

Mexico

Co-hosts of the tournament, Mexico are the only nation to host a World Cup three times. An in-form team, a fun fan culture with good food, there are too many reasons to root for Mexico to list.

South Africa

If the sound of vuvuzelas captured your heart back in 2010, then get ready to welcome them back because South Africa has returned to the World Cup.

Check out all the other reasons for each of the 48 teams! 

[Jun 11, 2026 at 11:45 am ET · Chuck Booth]

World Cup 2026 wall chart: Printable tournament tracker, brackets, knockout stage and more

Chuck Booth

[Jun 11, 2026 at 11:30 am ET · Chuck Booth]

Have no fear, the CBS Sports staff picks are here:

2026 World Cup predictions, expert picks: Brazil, France and Spain divide opinion on who will win it all

James Benge

[Jun 11, 2026 at 11:15 am ET · Chuck Booth]

Which one? Naturally, events kick off ahead of the World Cup's opening game and festivities are due to start at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium at 1:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 11, right before Mexico take on South Africa. Canada's World Cup begins with a ceremony at 1:30 p.m. ET in Toronto, after which it's Jesse Marsch's side against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Then it's the USA's turn. At 7:30 p.m. ET, SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles will bring down the curtain for the second staging of the World Cup on American soil, after which it's the USMNT against Paraguay.

[Jun 11, 2026 at 11:03 am ET · Chuck Booth]

It's almost time for the World Cup to get underway as Mexico, Shakira, and Memo Ochoa have become synonymous with the tournament. Mexico's keeper is involved in a record sixth World Cup, a distinction that he'll only share with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. That's some good company, and Mexico City is ready to welcome their team, I mean, look at the scenes currently with more than four hours to go until kickoff: