Live: World Cup 2026 gets underway at the Azteca

We are go at the Azteca!

The entire stadium floor is covered with a patterned covering and a large number of performers, while we are welcomed in both Spanish and English.

And we are welcomed to Mexico: “With smiles our their heart” as a giant World Cup trophy rises from the centre of the pitch as performers in a mix traditional costumes  and garish gold and silver reflective outfits dance in a pattern around it.

Now it’s time for the music, where someone with far more pop-culture knowledge than I will be able to give more information…

We’re just about to enjoy the World Cup opening ceremony, which is set to feature acts from Belinda, Burna Boy, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná and Shakira.

The FIFA press release also tells me that Ryan Castro will join J Balvin on stage for a special performance.

Good for them.

Alejandro Fernández, known as “El Potrillo” by his fans and one of the biggest selling Latin artists of all time, will sing the Himno Nacional Mexicano.

Meanwhile the Queen of Popiano, Tyla, will sing Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika.

There will be three opening ceremonies across the three host nations, with events in Canada and the USA tomorrow.

The crowd is certainly building at the Azteca – this is one stadium at this World Cup that won’t have any empty seats, especially when El Tri are playing.

Hello and good morning to you wild Aussies awake at this time in the morning and g’day if you’re logging on from anywhere else around the world.

Football fans rejoice! It is finally here!

After months of political uncertainty, days of visa worries and a small fortune’s worth of ticket resales, the FIFA World Cup 2026 has finally arrived.

My name is Simon Smale and this is ABC Sport’s home of football for the next six weeks, as we bring you live blog coverage of all 104 matches from the tournament opener at the Azteca, all the way to New York/New Jersey on July 20.

I’ll be joined by our best and brightest over the next six weeks as we bring you all the action from across North America both on and off the pitch.

We have a crack team on the ground across the Pacific, with David Mark and Tom Wildie shadowing the Socceroos, and Amanda Shalala in Mexico City as we speak getting ready for today’s opening game of the tournament.

It is a pleasure to be here with you and welcome to you all.