Shakira and Burna Boy light up ceremony as Mexico beats South Africa 2-0; streaming woes trigger backlash in India

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off in spectacular fashion at the Azteca Stadium on Thursday night, but the opening day was anything but straightforward. A colourful ceremony headlined by Shakira and Burna Boy was followed by a fiery match that saw three red cards and a Mexican victory. Meanwhile, thousands of kilometres away in India, the tournament’s digital broadcaster found itself in the middle of a social media storm.

Mexico defeated South Africa 2–0 in the opener, but the match will be remembered as much for the dismissals as for the goals. The referee brandished three red cards – two against South Africa and one against Mexico – raising early concerns about discipline in this expanded 48-team tournament.

Ceremony lights up Azteca

The two-hour opening ceremony featured Colombian pop star Shakira, who has now performed at four World Cups, alongside Nigerian singer Burna Boy. The duo performed the official tournament song “Die-Die”. Mexican acts including Belinda, Los Ángeles Azules, and rock band Maná also took the stage.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino later unveiled the World Cup trophy, joined by Hollywood actress Salma Hayek. Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin rounded off the performances before the first match kicked off.

Mexico strikes early

The home side wasted little time. In the 9th minute, South African captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams made a costly error on a back-pass. Mexico’s Julián Quiñones pounced and slotted home the tournament’s opening goal. The striker nearly added a second just before halftime, but his shot rattled the post.

South Africa struggled to mount any serious attack in the first half and trailed 1–0 at the break.

Jiménez doubles the lead

Mexico’s second goal arrived in the 67th minute. Roberto Alvarado delivered a cross from the right, and striker Raúl Jiménez rose to meet it with a powerful header. That sealed the 2–0 win for the hosts in front of a raucous home crowd.

Three red cards in opener – a worrying sign?

The match turned chaotic early in the second half. In the 49th minute, South African midfielder Sphephelo Sithole was shown a straight red card for a foul from behind on Bryan Gutiérrez. Things got worse for the visitors in the 84th minute when Themba Zwane received his marching orders for violent conduct, reducing South Africa to nine men.

Deep into stoppage time, Mexico’s César Montes also saw red for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

For context, the entire 2022 World Cup in Qatar recorded just four red cards. The 2018 edition in Russia also had four. The 2006 tournament still holds the unwanted record of 28 red cards. With three in the opening match alone, concerns are already being raised that this edition could break that mark.

 Zee5 faces heat over streaming quality

Back in India, the excitement quickly turned to frustration. Zee5, the official streaming partner for the FIFA World Cup 2026, faced massive backlash on social media within hours of the broadcast starting.

Users complained of poor video quality, frequent buffering, and intrusive advertisements – even for paid subscribers. Several viewers also reported a glitch during the live stream of the opening ceremony. The criticism trended on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), with many demanding refunds or urging the platform to fix the issues before the next matches.

Neither Zee5 nor FIFA’s Indian representatives have issued an official statement so far.

Protests outside the stadium

Away from the football, tensions simmered on the streets of Mexico City. Dozens of demonstrators gathered near the Azteca Stadium ahead of the opening match, demanding higher wages for teachers and better public amenities. Protesters accused the government of prioritising the World Cup while ignoring social issues. The protests remained peaceful, but they served as a reminder of the domestic challenges facing the host nation.

 South Korea pull off upset

On the pitch, there was more drama on matchday one. Asian giants South Korea staged a comeback to beat Czech Republic 2–1. Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu scored for the Koreans, while Ladislav Krejci netted the lone goal for Czechia.

Nora Fatehi Set for FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Act

First Bollywood star to grace tournament's Toronto kickoff alongside Katy Perry's LA show

Historic Milestone for Nora

Nora Fatehi is poised to make history as the first Bollywood actress to perform at a FIFA World Cup opening ceremony. The Moroccan-Canadian dancer-singer, known for her roles in films like Bharat, Street Dancer 3D and Bhuj: The Pride of India, will take the stage on June 12 at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada. FIFA's official handle confirmed the lineup late Friday, sparking buzz across social media.

This comes just months after Fatehi lit up the opening ceremony of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on February 7. She had earlier performed the official anthem 'Light the Sky' at the FIFA World Cup 2022 closing ceremony on December 18 in Qatar.

Three Ceremonies Across Host Nations

The 2026 edition, co-hosted by the USA, Mexico and Canada, breaks new ground with three separate opening ceremonies ahead of each host's first match. Initial reports indicate these events will set the tone for the tournament running from June 11 to July 19, featuring 104 matches in total. The final is slated for New Jersey.

Toronto's show at BMO Field will blend global stars. Alongside Fatehi, expect Canadian icons like Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Eliana, Jessie Reyez, We Are The Dream and William Prince. Bangladeshi-origin American DJ Sanjoy, professionally known as DJ Sanjoy, joins the bill too. He previously remixed the Bollywood hit 'Chammak Challo' from Ra.One for official use.

Katy Perry Headlines LA Spectacle

Over in the US, pop superstar Katy Perry announced her debut World Cup performance via Instagram. She'll headline the June 12 opening at SoFi Stadium in California, ahead of the USA vs Paraguay clash. Perry will share the stage with Lisa, Tyla, Anitta and Rema, sources familiar with the event confirmed.

Mexico City's ceremony kicks off a day earlier on June 11, boasting a Latin-heavy lineup: Tyla, Alejandro Fernández, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, Belinda, J Balvin, plus bands Los Angeles Azules and Man.

Shakira's Return with New Anthem

Adding to the star power, Shakira is back for the tournament. The Colombian singer dropped news of her new track 'Dai Dai', featuring Nigerian artist Burna Boy. It echoes her iconic 2010 World Cup anthem 'Waka Waka', which became a global smash. Officials haven't detailed her performance slot yet, but the release ties neatly into the pre-tournament hype.

Global Stage for Indian Talent

For Indian fans, Fatehi's slot marks a proud moment. As the only Bollywood artist to headline openings for both FIFA and ICC World Cups, she's bridging cultures on football's biggest platform. "This is a massive step for desi performers," noted entertainment desk sources tracking the announcements.

The ceremonies underscore FIFA's push for diversity, blending local heroes with international draws. With matches spread across 16 cities, expect packed stadiums and massive viewership.

What's Next for Fans

As preparations ramp up, eyes are on how these events will hype the expanded 48-team format. Ticket details for ceremonies remain pending, but FIFA urges fans to monitor official channels. For Nora Fatehi FIFA World Cup 2026 fans, it's a wait till mid-June—but the excitement is already building.