MEXICO CITY (AP) — A star-studded opening ceremony featuring Shakira, Burna Boy and J Balvin kicked off the 2026 World Cup before a crowd of more than 80,000 at the revamped Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Mexico opened the 48-team tournament against South Africa as the competition began amid escalating protests and social tensions in the capital.
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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
A general view of the Mexico City stadium ahead of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Felix)
A general view of the Mexico City stadium ahead of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Felix)
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Fher Olvera, lead singer of Mexican pop rock band Mana performs before the start of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Fher Olvera, lead singer of Mexican pop rock band Mana performs before the start of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
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Shakira performs during the opening ceremony before the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Shakira performs during the opening ceremony before the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
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Performers on the pitch during the opening ceremony before the start of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Performers on the pitch during the opening ceremony before the start of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
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Colombian singer J Balvin performs before the start of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Colombian singer J Balvin performs before the start of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
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Relatives of Mexico’s disappeared and protesters march before the opening day of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Alejandro Cegarra)
Relatives of Mexico’s disappeared and protesters march before the opening day of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Alejandro Cegarra)
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Police officers block a street to the stadium ahead of the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ginnette Riquelme)
Police officers block a street to the stadium ahead of the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ginnette Riquelme)
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Demonstrators perform during a march protesting prior to the opening day of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ginnette Riquelme)
Demonstrators perform during a march protesting prior to the opening day of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ginnette Riquelme)
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A Mexico fan is tossed into the air in celebration at a fan festival while waiting to watch a broadcast of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Sydney Shankman)
A Mexico fan is tossed into the air in celebration at a fan festival while waiting to watch a broadcast of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Sydney Shankman)
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Andrea Bocelli and South Korean singer EJAE perform during the opening ceremony before the start of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Andrea Bocelli and South Korean singer EJAE perform during the opening ceremony before the start of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
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Performers take part in the openinig ceremony before the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. ((AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Performers take part in the openinig ceremony before the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. ((AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
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Law enforcement guard a barricade as fans funnel their way through to a fan festival area to watch the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashtin Barker)
Law enforcement guard a barricade as fans funnel their way through to a fan festival area to watch the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashtin Barker)
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Performers on the pitch during the opening ceremony before the start of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. CORRECTS DATE FROM SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2026 TO THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Performers on the pitch during the opening ceremony before the start of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. CORRECTS DATE FROM SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2026 TO THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
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Colombian artist Shakira dances with her brother Antonio Mebarak while waiting to perform during the opening ceremony before the start of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Colombian artist Shakira dances with her brother Antonio Mebarak while waiting to perform during the opening ceremony before the start of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
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Mexican fans cheer before the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. ((AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Mexican fans cheer before the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. ((AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
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South Africa’s Nkosinathi Sibisi, right, and Mexico’s Raul Jimenez battle for the ball in the second half during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
South Africa’s Nkosinathi Sibisi, right, and Mexico’s Raul Jimenez battle for the ball in the second half during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
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Mexico’s Julian Quinones scores his side’s opening goal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Mexico’s Julian Quinones scores his side’s opening goal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
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Mexico’s Julian Quinones, left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Mexico’s Julian Quinones, left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
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Referee Wilton Sampaio a red card to South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole, left, during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Referee Wilton Sampaio a red card to South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole, left, during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
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Mexico’s Raul Jimenez hugs teammate Roberto Alvarado, right, after scoring his side’s second goal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Mexico’s Raul Jimenez hugs teammate Roberto Alvarado, right, after scoring his side’s second goal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
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Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre gestures during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre gestures during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
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