Football fever will take over the planet starting tomorrow, Thursday, June 11, 2026. The 2026 World Cup officially opens with a large-scale ceremony at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, followed by the tournament's first match between Mexico and South Africa. Here is everything you need to know so you do not miss anything.

A legendary stadium for a historic moment

The choice of the Azteca Stadium to host the opening ceremony is no accident. With its 80,000 seats, this temple of Mexican football is one of the rare stadiums to have hosted two World Cup finals (1970 and 1986). It was here that Diego Maradona scored both the “Goal of the Century” and the “Hand of God” during the 1986 World Cup. This is therefore not just any stadium opening the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Nearly 14,000 people will be able to attend the ceremony for free, in what promises to be an exceptional atmosphere. The art of Papel Picado, the colorful paper cutouts emblematic of Mexican culture — notably used during the Day of the Dead — will be honored during the show, creating a unique blend of popular culture and sporting passion.

A huge musical show

The ceremony will begin at 7:30 p.m. French time, 90 minutes before kick-off. It promises to be a true music festival mixing Mexican artists and international stars, with a line-up worthy of the biggest ceremonies in football history.

Mexican artists in the spotlight

The host country will be widely represented during the evening. Maná, the legendary Mexican rock band with tens of millions of fans worldwide, will open the show with contagious energy. Singer Belinda, an icon of Mexican pop, will bring glamour to the event. Lila Downs, ambassador of Mexico's indigenous cultures through music, will add depth and authenticity. The cumbia group Los Ángeles Azules, a true phenomenon of Mexican popular music, will complete the festive line-up. Finally, Alejandro Fernández will have the honor of performing the Mexican national anthem.

The international stars

The ceremony will take on a truly global dimension with the presence of major international music names. Shakira, the Colombian star whose links with football are well established — she already set the 2010 World Cup alight with Waka Waka — will be one of the highlights. Colombian rapper J Balvin, accompanied by his compatriot Ryan Castro, will bring festive reggaeton sounds. Nigerian superstar Burna Boy will brilliantly represent Africa, echoing Mexico's opponent, South Africa. South African singer Tyla, a global phenomenon since her hit Water, will perform the South African national anthem with emotion. Venezuelan artist Danny Ocean and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli complete this exceptional line-up.

The presence of Shakira, who left a lasting mark on the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, gives this ceremony a special symbolic dimension: world football returns to Hispanic ground with its greatest musical ambassadors.

The opening match: Mexico - South Africa

Kick-off between Mexico and South Africa will be at 9:00 p.m. French time. The match will take place in a roaring Estadio Azteca, with a Mexican public that has been waiting for this moment for years. For Tri, the nickname of the Mexican national team, it is huge pressure but also a golden opportunity to shine in front of their fans.

South Africa, qualified for the World Cup after long years away — it had not participated since the 2010 World Cup it hosted on home soil — approaches this match with the desire to create a surprise. These two teams will officially open Group A, one of the tournament's most anticipated groups.

How to watch in France?

In France, broadcasting rights for the 2026 World Cup have been shared between M6 (54 free-to-air matches, including all France matches) and beIN Sports (104 matches in total, by subscription). The opening ceremony and Mexico - South Africa match will be broadcast on beIN Sports.

If you do not have a subscription, many streaming offers allow temporary access to the channel. It is also possible to follow the events live on specialized sports websites and apps.

A historic 2026 edition in every way

This 2026 edition marks a historic turning point for the competition: for the first time, 48 national teams are taking part (instead of 32 until 2022), and the tournament is being held in three countries — the United States, Canada and Mexico — across 16 host cities. Matches will continue until the grand final scheduled for July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The France team, world champion in 2018 and runner-up in 2022, is among the major favorites of this edition. Les Bleus will play their first match on June 16 against Senegal, live and free on M6.

But before that, Mexico has the honor of opening the ball. Tomorrow evening at 9 p.m., the entire football planet will have its eyes fixed on the Azteca. The greatest celebration in world sport can finally begin.