For the first time in the history of the World Cup, the opening ceremony of the 23rd edition of the competition was held separately in the three host countries, the United States, Mexico and Canada, to begin the competition of 48 teams to reach the cup.
Publish dateSaturday 13 June 2026 - 09:17
Story Code : 357590
Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): The 23rd FIFA World Cup officially began on Thursday with the meeting of the national teams of Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City. Before this meeting, the opening ceremony of the host Mexico was held at the Azteca Stadium and was a combination of traditional arts, folk music and a fireworks display, which was enthusiastically welcomed by the people of this country.
Reports indicate that two other opening ceremonies have also been held in Canada and the United States, respectively. The Canadian city of Toronto witnessed a modern opening ceremony focused on cultural diversity, and the third host, the city of Los Angeles in the United States, held the most magnificent ceremony with the presence of world-renowned artists and a display of new technologies.
This World Cup, which will run from June 12 to July 17, 2026, will feature 48 teams for the first time.
The tournament will be held at 16 stadiums in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
More than 87,000 spectators attended the opening ceremony at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Local dancers in rainbow costumes and traditional masks presented a performance of the history of the Mayan and Aztec civilizations.
The stadium, which also hosted the World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986, is now known as the first stadium to host the opening ceremony of the World Cup three times.
The opening ceremony was held in Toronto with the presence of the Canadian Prime Minister and prominent sports figures. In Los Angeles, in addition to performances by famous pop groups, an air show with 500 drones drew the World Cup logo and the flags of the three host countries in the night sky.
“This World Cup represents the unity of nations and a message of peace for the whole world,” the FIFA president said in a speech at the Los Angeles ceremony. The national teams of the qualifying countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Germany, France and England, are also scheduled to start their first matches in the coming days.
Holding the opening ceremony in three different countries for the first time in the history of the World Cup is a new initiative by FIFA, which both reflects the geographical expansion of football and an effort to attract maximum spectators in the North American continent. Studies show that FIFA is seeking to create more opportunities for developing countries and emerging teams by increasing the number of teams from 32 to 48.
Reports indicate that two other opening ceremonies have also been held in Canada and the United States, respectively. The Canadian city of Toronto witnessed a modern opening ceremony focused on cultural diversity, and the third host, the city of Los Angeles in the United States, held the most magnificent ceremony with the presence of world-renowned artists and a display of new technologies.
This World Cup, which will run from June 12 to July 17, 2026, will feature 48 teams for the first time.
The tournament will be held at 16 stadiums in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
More than 87,000 spectators attended the opening ceremony at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Local dancers in rainbow costumes and traditional masks presented a performance of the history of the Mayan and Aztec civilizations.
The stadium, which also hosted the World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986, is now known as the first stadium to host the opening ceremony of the World Cup three times.
The opening ceremony was held in Toronto with the presence of the Canadian Prime Minister and prominent sports figures. In Los Angeles, in addition to performances by famous pop groups, an air show with 500 drones drew the World Cup logo and the flags of the three host countries in the night sky.
“This World Cup represents the unity of nations and a message of peace for the whole world,” the FIFA president said in a speech at the Los Angeles ceremony. The national teams of the qualifying countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Germany, France and England, are also scheduled to start their first matches in the coming days.
Holding the opening ceremony in three different countries for the first time in the history of the World Cup is a new initiative by FIFA, which both reflects the geographical expansion of football and an effort to attract maximum spectators in the North American continent. Studies show that FIFA is seeking to create more opportunities for developing countries and emerging teams by increasing the number of teams from 32 to 48.
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