The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to begin on Thursday, with co-hosts Mexico kicking off the tournament against South Africa at Mexico City Stadium in a Group A opener that marks the start of a competition unlike any before it.

For the first time in the history of the tournament, 48 nations will compete across 104 matches — an expansion that promises a summer of football on an unprecedented scale in North America.

Opening ceremony details

The celebration begins 90 minutes before kick-off, with the ceremony scheduled to start at 6:15pm UK time and the match itself getting underway at 6:30pm. ITV1 will broadcast the full ceremony before providing uninterrupted coverage of the match.

Shakira and Burna Boy will headline the event, performing the official tournament anthem Dai Dai together. The inclusion of Burna Boy — one of Africa's biggest global music stars — gives the ceremony a resonance that will not be lost on South Africa's supporters, who travel to Mexico City as the Bafana Bafana seek to make history on the biggest stage.

Mexican-born actress and film star Salma Hayek will appear as a World Cup ambassador, while Ryan Castro and J Balvin are also confirmed performers as part of the opening spectacle.

Three opening ceremonies across North America

The 2026 edition breaks new ground by staging three separate opening ceremonies across its three co-hosting nations. Canada's opening match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on 12 June will be preceded by a performance featuring homegrown acts Michael Buble, Alessia Cara, and Alanis Morissette.

Attention then shifts to Los Angeles on 13 June, where the United States face Paraguay. Katy Perry will perform alongside rapper Future and a number of international artists at that ceremony.

A stadium steeped in World Cup history

The choice of Mexico City Stadium as the venue for the tournament's opening match carries deep symbolic weight. The ground served as the centrepiece when Mexico hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cups, staging both finals — won by Brazil and Argentina respectively.

The stadium will host five matches in this year's tournament, including a Round of 16 tie. Outside of international football, it is the home ground of Liga MX club Club America.

South Africa, meanwhile, arrive in Mexico City carrying their own piece of World Cup history — as the nation that hosted the 2010 tournament, the Bafana Bafana know better than most what it means to stand at the centre of the football world.