The first World Cup opening ceremony will take place in Mexico City ahead of the match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa. The event will feature a number of high-profile performers, including Shakira and Burna Boy, who will take to the stage to perform the official tournament song, Dai Dai. The musical duo will be joined by other notable acts, including Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, and J Balvin, in a spectacle orchestrated by Italian producer Marco Balich.
The Mexico City event is one of three distinct opening ceremonies scheduled to take place across the host nations, with further celebrations planned for Toronto and Los Angeles. Each show is set to commence approximately 90 minutes before kick-off, with Shakira also slated to perform at a Super Bowl-style half-time show for the World Cup final.
The World Cup's opening ceremonies have a history of memorable moments, including Diana Ross's famous missed penalty during the 1994 World Cup in Chicago. The official song, Dai Dai, carries a significant purpose, aiming to raise $100 million for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
England will have two warm-up friendlies before playing their first World Cup match against Croatia on 17 June. The Three Lions have failed to win the World Cup since 1966, but will be hoping to end 60 years of hurt after reaching the last two European Championship finals before losing to Italy and Spain, respectively.
The tournament's opening ceremonies are expected to draw in large crowds and generate significant interest, with fans eager to catch a glimpse of the high-profile performers and the spectacle that is the World Cup.