When the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11, the opening ceremony at the legendary Estadio Azteca will feature a special tribute to two of football’s greatest icons: Pelé and Diego Maradona .
The homage carries profound significance, as both legends captured the World Cup on the very same turf. Pelé led Brazil to its third world title at the Azteca in 1970, while Maradona famously guided Argentina to glory at the same venue in 1986 . For Maradona, who died in November 2020, the stadium is also where he scored two of history’s most famous goals against England: the “Hand of God” and the “Goal of the Century” .
This will be the first World Cup held since Pelé’s death in December 2022 . Representing that legendary 1970 Brazilian squad at the ceremony will be midfielder Roberto Rivellino .
A Stadium Built for History
The Azteca will make history of its own on Thursday. It is set to become the first stadium ever to host three World Cup opening matches, having previously done so in 1970 and 1986 . It will also become the first venue to host matches in three separate World Cups .
Situated more than 7,300 feet (2,240 meters) above sea level in Mexico City’s Santa Úrsula neighborhood, the iconic stadium has undergone 18 months of renovations to prepare for the tournament . Upgrades include a hybrid turf system, modernized drainage, over 12,000 square meters of new entertainment space, more than 300 speakers, and two giant screens . The current capacity for the tournament stands at approximately 83,000 to 88,000 spectators .
Ceremony Details and Performers
The opening ceremony will begin at 11:30 AM local time (17:00 GMT) on June 11, lasting 90 minutes before the Group A opener between Mexico and South Africa . Mexico City has declared June 11 a public holiday to accommodate the expected crowds .
Shakira and Burna Boy will headline the event, performing the official tournament song “Dai Dai” . Other performers include Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná, and South Africa’s Tyla . The show will also celebrate Mexican culture through Indigenous performers, contemporary folkloric acts, and the traditional art of papel picado .
A Three-Nation Opening
For the first time in World Cup history, the 2026 tournament will feature three opening ceremonies—one in each host nation. Following the Mexico City ceremony on June 11, Toronto will host its own opening event on June 12, while Los Angeles’s SoFi Stadium will hold the third ceremony later that same day . All three spectacles are being developed by Italian producer Marco Balich .
