{"id":36043,"date":"2026-06-11T21:37:25","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T21:37:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/11\/photos-from-the-world-cup-opening-ceremony-in-mexico\/"},"modified":"2026-06-11T21:37:25","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T21:37:25","slug":"photos-from-the-world-cup-opening-ceremony-in-mexico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/11\/photos-from-the-world-cup-opening-ceremony-in-mexico\/","title":{"rendered":"Photos from the World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico"},"content":{"rendered":"


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MEXICO CITY (AP) \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.<\/p>\n

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\"A<\/p>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Fher<\/p>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Shakira<\/p>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Performers<\/p>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Colombian<\/p>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Relatives<\/p>\n

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Relatives of Mexico\u2019s 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)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Relatives of Mexico\u2019s 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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Police<\/p>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Demonstrators<\/p>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Andrea<\/p>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Performers<\/p>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Law<\/p>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Performers<\/p>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Colombian<\/p>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Mexican<\/p>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"South<\/p>\n

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South Africa\u2019s Nkosinathi Sibisi, right, and Mexico\u2019s 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)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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South Africa\u2019s Nkosinathi Sibisi, right, and Mexico\u2019s 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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Mexico's<\/p>\n

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Mexico\u2019s Julian Quinones scores his side\u2019s 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)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Mexico\u2019s Julian Quinones scores his side\u2019s 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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Mexico's<\/p>\n

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Mexico\u2019s 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)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Mexico\u2019s 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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Referee<\/p>\n

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Referee Wilton Sampaio a red card to South Africa\u2019s 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)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Referee Wilton Sampaio a red card to South Africa\u2019s 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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Mexico's<\/p>\n

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Mexico\u2019s Raul Jimenez hugs teammate Roberto Alvarado, right, after scoring his side\u2019s 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)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Mexico\u2019s Raul Jimenez hugs teammate Roberto Alvarado, right, after scoring his side\u2019s 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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Mexico<\/p>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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MEXICO CITY (AP) \u2014 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. 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