The 2026 FIFA World Cup began with a star-studded opening ceremony at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, featuring performances by Shakira, Burna Boy, J Balvin, and Danny Ocean, before co-hosts Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in a match that saw three red cards. But the celebrations were marred by violent clashes between police and protesters outside the stadium, as well as empty seats in venues and a fan zone evacuation due to weather. This World Cup is the first to be co-hosted by three nations—Mexico, the United States, and Canada—and the first with an expanded 48-team format.
The opening ceremony on Thursday night showcased Mexico's culture, with performers in indigenous clothing and golden footballs, and opera star Andrea Bocelli and K-Pop singer Ejae performing the official anthem "DNA." Mexican singer Alejandro Fernández sang the national anthem as 80,000 fans cheered. But outside, Mexican officials said nearly 200 hooded individuals broke away from groups of protesters and clashed with law enforcement, temporarily shutting down metro stations. Teachers and families of missing persons marched to highlight their causes during the global spotlight.
“The 2026 World Cup begins with ceremony, clashes, and expanded format.”
On the pitch, Mexico's 2-0 victory ended a streak of poor opening-game results, but the match set an unwanted record: three red cards, the most ever in a World Cup opener. South Africa's Yaya Sithole was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity, Themba Zwane for a slap (after VAR review), and Mexico's César Montes for a late foul. The game also saw empty seats visible on TV, part of wider ticketing issues that left large sections unused in Guadalajara for South Korea's 2-1 comeback win over Czechia. In Toronto, the FIFA Fan Festival was evacuated after one hour due to a thunderstorm warning, while in Houston, supporters were turned away from the fan zone because of overcrowding fears.
The 2026 World Cup matters for UK readers because it is the first time the tournament is held in North America since 1994, and the first with 48 teams, meaning more matches and a longer schedule for fans to follow. England are competing and have been given favourable kick-off times, as the time difference with the UK is more manageable than in previous tournaments in Asia or South America. The clashes and security concerns may also affect travel advice for UK fans planning to attend later matches.
Q: Why are there protests at the 2026 World Cup? Protests in Mexico City involved radical groups trying to disrupt the event, as well as teachers and families of missing persons marching to highlight their causes. Mexican authorities said the situation was brought under control.
Q: What is the format of the 2026 World Cup? For the first time, 48 teams are competing, expanded from 32. The tournament is co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with matches across all three countries.
Q: How can I watch the World Cup in the UK? Broadcasting rights are held by various broadcasters, but specific channels were not mentioned in the sources. Check your usual sports broadcaster for listings.
What happens next: The World Cup continues with more group stage matches across the three host nations. The US and Canada will hold their own opening ceremonies on Friday. Security remains high amid protests, and FIFA will face scrutiny over ticketing after visible empty seats on day one.