The wait is almost over. The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off this Thursday, 11 June and South Africa is right at the centre of it, both on the pitch and on the stage.
The Ceremony
The opening ceremony takes place at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, beginning 90 minutes before kick-off. For South African viewers, that means the ceremony starts at 19:30, with the opening match between Bafana Bafana and Mexico kicking off at 21:00.
Who’s Performing
The headline moment belongs to two of the world’s biggest acts, Shakira and Burna Boy, performing Dai Dai, the official FIFA World Cup 2026 song, live for the very first time.
South Africa’s own Tyla also takes the stage, bringing a distinctly African voice to what is otherwise a proudly regional celebration.
Completing the lineup is a deep roster of global and Latin talent: Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná.
It’s worth noting that there will be two further opening ceremonies the following day, for Canada and the United States, when those host nations play their opening group matches. Mexico City on Thursday, June 11, then Toronto and Los Angeles on Friday, June 12.
Canada’s ceremony interprets the FIFA World Cup Trophy as a mosaic, symbolising the country’s cultural diversity. The lineup features Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette.
The headline lineup in Los Angeles for the US ceremoney includes Katy Perry, LISA of BLACKPINK, Future, Anitta and Rema. Tyla appears here too, making her one of the few performers appearing at more than one World Cup opening celebration.
How to watch in South Africa
Broadcasting rights are shared between the SABC and SuperSport. The SABC will provide free-to-air coverage of select matches on SABC 1, SABC 3 and SABC Sport, including all of Bafana Bafana’s matches. SuperSport will broadcast all 104 matches live. For the very first time, the tournament will be available in its entirety to DStv subscribers from DStv Access right through to DStv Premium, making it the most accessible World Cup ever staged.
Set your reminder, find your couch and get ready. Bafana are back on the world stage this Thursday, 11 June, at 21:00 for the first time since 2010, and they’re opening the biggest tournament in football history.
