Now it’s time for Danny Ocean, a viral Venezuelan reggaeton star with chin-length hair and a burgundy leather two-piece suit that wouldn’t go amiss on Spy Kids, before the Mexican pop singer Belinda sings with the Cumbia group Los Ángeles Azules — a lovely fusion of styles and generations.
Is that Bono? or Branson?
First up out of the various performers are Mana, a Mexican rock band with billions of streams led by frontman Fher Olvera, who looks like a cross between Bono and Richard Branson. Oye Mi Amor is their song of choice, their most popular track with over 800 million listens on Spotify. It’s evidently a national hit given the chants heard among the crowd.
“Time for us to hush and you to enjoy” say the ITV1 presenters as dancers in feather headdresses bang drums as others clad in what looks like gold and silver space gear (is this a representation of old and new?) wave around giant footballs at the beginning of the opening ceremony in Mexico City — the first of three (the other two will take place tomorrow in Canada and the USA tomorrow).
“Mexico receives you with smiles from our heart. We are a nation of diversity,” says a woman with long plaits walking among them as she points her palms to the sky. “Football unites us all,” she repeats in English and Spanish.
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You’ve got to hit the target, Diana
Diana Ross was the main attraction at the opening ceremony in 1994 at Soldier Field, Chicago. Who could forget this shocker of a penalty?
Will we see Shakira, the Colombian legend behind Hips Don’t Lie, do the same tonight?
What’s your favourite World Cup song?
For me, it doesn’t get any better than Waka Waka. That said, a massive shout-out has to go to K’Naan’s Wavin’ Flag — you can probably guess my age just from those two choices.
As for England’s tournament anthems? John Barnes taking the mic to rap, “You’ve got to hold and give but do it at the right time” is practically a motto I live my life by. New Order’s World in Motion is completely unrivalled, surely?
Anyway, we are just minutes away from a live rendition of this year’s official anthem, Dai Dai, performed by Shakira and Burna Boy. How do you think it will rank among the all-time greats?
Read in full: The six best World Cup songs — ranked
Trivia time
There are plenty of familiar faces in this Mexico squad, including the cult hero Guillermo Ochoa, who is one of four players featuring in this World Cup to have also played in the 2006 tournament in Germany. Can you name the others?
While Ochoa, 40, prepares for a record sixth World Cup, Mexico’s 17-year-old wonderkid Gilberto Mora is gearing up for his first. Look out for him in midfield.
Defensively, Edson Álvarez, formerly of West Ham United, anchors the team alongside Genoa’s Johan Vásquez. Up front, Raúl Jiménez — who has just returned to Wolverhampton Wanderers — leads the line.
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Among the performers at tonight’s opening ceremony is the Colombian pop star J Balvin.
The reggaeton musician from Medellín ranked in the top-five most listened to artists on Spotify in 2018 and is presently number 22 worldwide.
Balvin moved to Oklahoma aged 17 to learn English before working illegally in New York as a roofer and house painter. The 41-year-old has defended the Latin community in the US in the face of President Trump’s anti-immigration rhetoric. In 2015 Balvin cancelled his Miss USA performance in response to comments by Trump about Mexican immigrants.
Read in full: Who is J Balvin, the Colombian megastar opening the World Cup
Who could forget this World Cup opener?
Tonight’s opening fixture brings us a beautiful bit of World Cup symmetry. It has been 16 years since Mexico and South Africa faced off to open the 2010 tournament.
On that occasion, South Africa were the hosts, lighting up the tournament with Siphiwe Tshabalala’s iconic opener. It was a pure goosebumps moment (in spite of the relentless drone of the vuvuzelas in the background).
Now, the tables are turned in Mexico City. Let’s hope for another classic…
A shot of World Cup fever…
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A slice of history for the Azteca
A historic milestone will be reached tonight: Mexico City’s legendary Azteca Stadium will become the first venue to host matches across three separate World Cups.
It was here in 1970 that Pelé delivered a masterclass to lift the trophy with Brazil. Sixteen years later, in 1986, Diego Maradona immortalised himself on the very same turf to win it for Argentina.
Mexico managed to reach the quarter-finals during both of those home tournaments — their best-ever showings in the competition.
After a slow journey on the shuttle bus through the protests and traffic of Mexico City, we got off and walked the last 20 minutes to the stadium, but that gave us the chance to feel the excitement building outside the Azteca Stadium. Green shirts and sombreros everywhere. And kick-off is still three hours away!
Taco time
The World Cup is here! And it smells of tácitos…
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Moyes: Argentina and Brazil my picks — and watch out for Ecuador
I joined The Sunday Times as a columnist at the South Africa World Cup, 16 years ago. The football wasn’t always fantastic at that tournament but the experience was.
World Cups are special because of how they bring people who love the game together and this one even has Scotland back in the mix. What could be better? While I can’t promise to analyse our games with any kind of impartial eye, I can hopefully give you an objective coach’s view of the rest of the tournament.
For all the qualities of Spain, France — and England — I find it hard to see past there being a South American winner again. Their teams will deal with the conditions and slower rhythm of games well, and will have incredible support, because so many South Americans live in the US. With Brazil, you can’t underestimate any team coached by Carlo Ancelotti. With Argentina, they have Lionel Messi and Julián Alvarez and were better than Brazil in qualifying. Ecuador have some excellent players and Colombia may be very good.
Read in full: Don’t expect World Cup to be like Premier League — I fancy South American side
Reader Hugh on his way to join Tartan Army
Reader Hugh, 70, was up early for his 7am flight to London Heathrow, accompanied by son in law Colin and grandson Oliver. From Heathrow they’ll fly to Newark and then make their way to Boston, where Scotland will play their first group C game against Haiti.
“We are on our way! Come on Scotland!
“On board flight to LHR, some obvious Scottish fans, but not as many as I thought there might be.”
Football fiesta getting started in Mexico City
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The Game pod’s daily — yes daily — World Cup briefings have begun
The team from The Game podcast are going to be working overtime over the next few weeks because they will be bringing you daily episodes during the World Cup. You can’t say we don’t spoil you…
In today’s episode, our host Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson and Alyson Rudd to debrief from England’s brilliant 3-0 win last night.
The team also take a trip down memory lane to chat about iconic opening games of the past, reveal the underdog teams they would love to see do well, and break down Tom’s highly ambitious (crazy) plan to watch all 104 games…
You can listen to The Game every day wherever you usually get your podcasts from or via this link.
Atmosphere building outside the Azteca…
Can you score full marks on Scotland?
Can you tell a spectacular Scott McTominay bicycle kick from a superb Kenny Dalglish header?
Readers would be forgiven for forgetting the classic moments from Scotland’s chequered history at the World Cup, having waited 28 long years to see the nation return to the world’s greatest tournament.
Like at France ’98, Scotland will again face the heavyweights Brazil and Morocco this month in the US, while the opening match for Steve Clarke’s team will come against the wildcard that is Haiti.
Will the Tartan Army finally witness a Scotland side advancing beyond the group stage of a World Cup? That question cannot yet be answered — but in the meantime, why not tackle 30 brainteasers covering Scotland’s inglorious World Cup campaigns to put your knowledge to the test?
Take the quiz: How well do you know Scotland at the World Cup?
Referee denied entry to US picked by Uefa to officiate Super Cup
Uefa has taken the unprecedented step of appointing the Somalian referee who was refused entry to the United States to take charge of the Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa.
Omar Artan, seen as one of Africa’s leading officials, was refused entry in Miami. Artan said he was interrogated for 11 hours, then held in a cell before being sent back to Turkey. The US government said he had been “talking to bad actors”.
Uefa would normally appoint a European referee for the match between the Champions League and Europa League winners, which will take place in Salzburg on August 12, but has decided to give it to Artan — in a move that may cause some embarrassment to Fifa.
Read in full: Uefa picks Somalian referee denied entry to US for Super Cup match
World Cup TV guide
By the way, with 104 matches about to get under way, keeping track of kick-off times and channels can be a bit of a pain.
Fear not — we’ve got you covered. Bookmark our World Cup fixtures and TV channel guide to ensure you never miss a minute of the action. Every game is free-to-air across the BBC and ITV.
Read in full: Where to watch the World Cup
World Cup fever reaches Curaçao
There are four teams appearing in their first World Cup this year: Cape Verde, Jordan, Uzbekistan and Curaçao, the Caribbean island home to about 158,000 people which is about to become the smallest country by size and population to complete in the tournament when they take on Germany in group E in Houston on Sunday.
Curaçao are already winners in my eyes — for the best kit of the tournament this year. If you haven’t seen their yellow away kit, it is an absolute beauty.
Stephen Gibbs visited the capital city, Willemstad, for The Times to soak up the atmosphere at a World Cup pre-party.
Read in full: World Cup fever reaches Curaçao, the island taking on giants
Ivory Coast fans denied visas to enter US
Five hundred Ivory Coast fans from the country’s official supporters’ club say they have cancelled their trip to the World Cup because of visa issues.
AFP is reporting that the National Committee of Elephants Supporters (CNSE), which operates under the country’s Ministry of Sport, said they could not go to the tournament because “the US government does not want to see supporters from certain countries”.
Julien Kouadio Adonis, the president of the CNSE, which organises trips for the country’s fans, said: “The supporters have cancelled the trip because the US government does not want to see supporters from certain countries, including Ivory Coast, on its soil. The United States has been clear with us, saying they do not want to see our supporters.
“This situation hurts us deeply because it prevents us from fulfilling our sacred duty, which is to support our team.”
Ivory Coast play two of their three group matches in Philadelphia, against Ecuador on June 15 and Curaçao on June 25 either side of a trip to Toronto to face Germany.
In January, Donald Trump’s administration froze visa processing for people from 75 countries, including Ivory Coast.
Best pictures from 13 World Cups
In this week’s Unseen Gallery, Marc Aspland, our Chief Sports Photographer, invited the legendary Peter Robinson to share his favourite images from the 13 World Cups he has attended. From middle fingers at Diego Maradona to sneaky shots of Sven-Goran Eriksson, it is simply sensational.
Here is a little taster for you:
View the full gallery: Pelé, Maradona and Big Jack — a lifetime of shooting World Cups
Our World Cup team by team guide
From World Cup history and group-game locations to key players and styles of play, our World Cup teams guide has got you covered. This is the biggest World Cup in history with 48 teams competing and this is where you can find out everything you need to know about each and every one of them.
Read in full: Team by team guide to the 2026 World Cup
England kick into gear
Thomas Tuchel’s side kicked into gear last night and finished their World Cup warm-up games in style with a comfortable 3-0 win over Costa Rica. Jonathan Northcroft was watching in Orlando and thinks that England’s No10 debate was settled…
Read in full: Tuchel finds a perfect No10 called Jude Bellingham for slick England side
In case you missed the game, which kicked off one hour later than initially scheduled because of storm, here are the highlights for you:
Tartan Army are coming down the road
I’m sat in terminal three at Heathrow ready to fly to Los Angeles for the opening game for Mauricio Pochettino’s USA team tomorrow night. It is absolutely teeming with Scotland fans here; blue shirts and kilts are everywhere you look. The Tartan Army are heeding Gregor Robertson’s call..
USA v Paraguay, group D
Kick-off Thursday 2am
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World Cup by those who played in it
A total of 6,549 men have taken the field at the World Cup, a number that at the end of this, the 23rd edition of the men’s tournament, will near 7,000. Each of them is woven into this never-ending tapestry; each of them, in some small part, has made it what it is.
I embarked on a quest to speak to 48 of them: one from each country represented at this year’s finals. If you haven’t got World Cup fever yet, what better way to get in the mood for tonight than reading their stories?
Read in full: 48 countries, 48 players: World Cup through eyes of men who played in it
Who’s winning it this year?
If you haven’t already, make sure you check out our World Cup predictor. You can input predicted scores for every game and simulate how you think this summer’s competition will unfold.
Will Argentina retain their crown? Is it coming home at last? See who you end up with:
Who will win the World Cup? Play our predictor
All love in group C
When you head for the lowdown on the only Scottish bar in Boston and find out the café next door is Haitian owned. There is love across the group C divide at Haven and Ula Café in Jamaica Plain. Pictured are the Haven owner Jason Waddleton and the Ula Café co-owner Marvin Mathelier.
Scotland get their campaign under way against Haiti at 2am on Sunday.
Tonight’s schedule
There is plenty to look forward to tonight with Mexico set to take on South Africa at 8pm in Mexico City in a replay of the 2010 competition’s curtain-raiser. Before that, we’ve got the opening ceremony at 6.30pm which will include a live performance of this year’s World Cup song, Dai Dai, by Shakira and Burna Boy … If you haven’t heard it yet, here’s what to expect:
For the real hard core among you, we’ve also got South Korea kicking off against Czech Republic at 3am in Guadalajara, completing the first set of fixtures in group A.
