MEXICO CITY.- Mexico opened the World Cup of the three countries. That of the 104 matches that are played in a huge territory, with internal problems and tensions between the host governments. After a simple and lackluster opening ceremony compared to the lastespecially those of Qatar 2022, Brazil 2014 or South Africa 2010, the Azteca stadium marked the milestone of becoming host of a World Cup for the third time.
The days before the inauguration were lived in pure tension in the Mexican capital. A teachers’ march that threatened to boycott the start of the World Cup was finally neutralized and had to take place in the city center, where some 45,000 people filled the El Zócalo square at the fan fest. At the same time, relatives of missing people demonstrated in the vicinity of the Azteca to demand justice.
An impossible transit, organizational problems and a poor World Cup atmosphere dominated the day of the Mexicanswho had to get up early to arrive on time for the opening ceremony in the Santa Úrsula neighborhood, south of the capital.
In the inaugural match in 1970, between Mexico and the Soviet Union, the then president Gustavo Diaz Ordaz received a loud whistle. Something similar to what happened in 1986 to Miguel de la Madrid. Perhaps to avoid what his predecessors experienced, on this occasion Claudia Sheinbaum He preferred to watch the opening and the game at the city hall. She did it wearing a green national team shirt and accompanied by the head of government, Clara Brugada, from her same party, Morena. The president, successor of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, faces the discontent of teachers’ unions and a part of the Mexican population that is not very comfortable with the presence of a tournament to which they do not feel they belong.
Between Shakira and Andrea Bocelli
With a colorful opening party for Mexicans, the curtain rose on the World Cup. The start of the ceremony highlighted the culture of the Aztec people, ancient inhabitants of this central area of the country. On the grass appeared a huehuetlconsidered the first drum used by the Aztecs, while a group of artists hit golden balls that symbolize gold, one of the most representative elements of the ancient civilizations of the region.
What seemed to become a showcase of Mexican traditions for the entire world quickly turned into a pop and reggaeton show. The band Mannaalmost unknown outside of Latin America, had the honor of opening the show. Next to them, seven dancers in their Aztec outfits moved in a strange choreography. Other Mexican artists came later, such as Belinda or Los Ángeles Azules. A party of dubious musical taste, only suitable for Mexicans.
The most anticipated figure of the ceremony was Shakira. The Colombian, who had already sung the catchy Waka Waka in South Africa 2010, he played Dai Daithe official anthem of the 2026 World Cup, along with the Nigerian Burna Boy. Unlike other editions, FIFA chose this year to release a complete album of official songs.
After the soccer players warmed up and when the countdown to the start of the match entered its final stretch, the Mexican actress Salma Hayek took center stage.
“The World Cup returns to this stadium”he stated in reference to the Azteca, which once again hosted a World Cup opening four decades later. He then led the official welcome to the 48 participating teams as the flags of the qualified countries paraded on the grass.
He also highlighted the joint organization of the tournament between Mexico, the United States and Canada and celebrated that the inaugural match was played on Mexican soil: “We are honored to be the country that will host the first match. Long live Mexico and football!”
Later, the Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli joined the pop party with a live performance of DNAone of the official songs of the World Cup, accompanied by the artist and producer EJAE.
It is clear that this opening ceremony will not remain in history, as happened in the previous edition in Qatar. The Persian Gulf emirate had presented a film edition, hosted by actor Morgan Freeman, with lights, sound, traditions and a message of inclusion. The opening ceremonies of Brazil 2014 and South Africa 2010 were also remembered. Not to mention the unforgettable Italia 90 anthem performed by Gianna Nannini and Edoardo Bennato.
Friday will be the turn of Katy Perry in the preview of the match between the United States and Paraguay in Los Angeles. That same day, in Toronto, Canada plays against Bosnia and Herzegovina: the previous ceremony will feature performances by Alanis Morissette and Michael Bublé.
Organizational problems
If Mexico City were not hosting a handful of matches in this World Cup, the chronicles would be lapidary regarding the organization.
A crowd like the Argentinian, which is estimated to be around 30,000 in Kansas for the first game of Scaloni’s team, would have a lot of problems getting around in a city where it takes more than an hour by car to get to the stadium on a normal day. Today, it took almost two hours. Public transport is not the best and the signage around the stadium leaves a lot to be desired.
Getting to the stadium was a real odyssey. With overcast skies early on, although with a sun that still appeared around noon, Mexicans had to go through enormous traffic jams to head south of the city along the Periférico urban highway, since Tlalpan Avenue, the other usual route to get to the Azteca, was closed. The authorities ordered that the fans come by train or on foot.
At least, the teachers’ protests, which threatened all week to boycott the start of the World Cup, remained in the center of the city, in the Zócalo, which is completely fenced.
An afternoon without football
On paper, South Africa-Mexico did not promise. Although in the World Cup the match that seems inconsequential can surprise. That didn’t happen this afternoon at the Azteca.
The local team quickly headed towards victory. At nine minutes, Julián Quiñones took advantage of a mistake by South Africa at the start and defined between the legs of Ronwen Williams to open the bookmark. Since then, the development had a single owner. Mexico managed possession, controlled the timing of the game and almost did not suffer in defense against an opponent with enormous difficulties in developing the game.
The picture became even more complicated for the Africans at the beginning of the complement. At 50 minutes, Siphephelo Sithole He was sent off for knocking down Brian Gutiérrez when he was heading towards the goal. With one more man, the team led by Javier Aguirre managed the advantage without problems and widened the difference at 67, when Raul Jimenez He headed a cross from Roberto Alvarado to make it 2-0.
The emotions only came in the final stretch, although far from the game. Themba Zwane He saw the red card after a VAR review for a hit without the ball on an opponent and left South Africa with nine players.
Already in discount time, Cesar Montes He was also sent off for a harsh infringement on Khuliso Mudau. Thus, a match of little football flight ended with a statistical peculiarity: It was the first opening match of a World Cup with three sent off.
As a design of the Aztec gods, the rain came just after the game. The Tri fans celebrated the first victory of the Vasco Aguirre team and are excited to at least repeat the performances they had in the other World Cups they hosted, when they were among the best eight.
