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Shakira, Andrea Bocelli, Kpop Demon Hunters’ Ejae and a surprise appearance by Salma Hayek lit up the World Cup opening ceremony ahead of Mexico’s 2-0 victory over South Africa on Thursday (Jun 11). And there were a couple of Labubus, too.

Shakira performed Dai Dai, the tournament’s official song, with Burna Boy. The Colombian star had a hit with Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and now seeks to score again.

A good World Cup song, Shakira earlier told The Associated Press, “needs to definitely have rhythm. It has to be rhythmic. It has to make people want to dance. And it has to be an anthem as well. It has to make people want to sing along in unison, sing out loud at the top of their lungs.”

Shakira has performed at previous World Cups, too: 2006 in Germany, 2010 in South Africa, and 2014 in Brazil.

In addition, she will perform at the first halftime show of a World Cup final on Jul 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey with Madonna and BTS. Mexico, the United States and Canada are co-hosting the 48-team tournament.

A WELCOME FOR ALL

Lila Downs welcomed fans and players in Spanish, English, and the indigenous languages Mixtec and Nahuatl.

“People of the world, welcome to Mexico,” said Downs, who wore a white indigenous huipil with a lilac edge. “Mexico welcomes you with smiles from our heart, we are a nation of diversity, heritage and pride in ancestral lands where movement and ritual spirit endure.”

Downs, who is a singer-songwriter, was born in Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca. Her mother is Mixtec, and her father was American of Scottish descent. But her heart is green, white and red when it comes to the ball.

“It’s a great honour for me to represent my beautiful and diverse country,” Downs said in an interview with The AP. “Of course I’m going to root for Mexico’s team, Viva Mexico!”

MANA THRILLS FANS

Mana electrified the stadium with Oye Mi Amor surrounded by pre-Hispanic dancers who moved their head plumes to the rhythm of rock while tens of thousands of fans chanted.

The band, founded in 1986, has sold more than 40 million records.

Shortly before their performance, they announced that they will be touring in Latin America, including stops in Bogotá, Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires, and Mexico City.

FROM IZTAPALAPA TO THE WORLD CUP

The Mexican cumbia group Los Angeles Azules performed Por Ella with Belinda, one of the most danceable songs of FIFA’s official World Cup album.

The band, founded in the mid-70s by the Mejía Avante brothers, is originally from the district of Iztapalapa, a working-class area of Mexico City, so their battle cry is “From Iztapalapa to the world!”

J Balvin had a dynamic performance – he started driving a cardboard car with Que Calor and then he was accompanied by Ryan Castro for Una A La Vez before ending with I Like It, a hit he originally released with Cardi B and Bad Bunny.

The Colombian star has experience on world stages. In 2020, he participated in the Super Bowl halftime as a guest of Shakira and Jennifer Lopez.

Danny Ocean performed Partidazo – his collaboration for the FIFA album. Ocean was surrounded by dancers wearing a modern take on the traditional dresses of the Mexican state of Jalisco, modified to have hoodies on top.

Two Labubus could be seen wearing soccer jerseys after the presentation of Los Angeles Azules and Belinda. One brown Labubu wore a jersey with the number 10 and the legend “The Monsters” and the other wore a shirt with the logo of the 2026 World Cup.

HOLLYWOOD POWER AT THE CEREMONY

Actress and producer Salma Hayek, a big soccer fan, gave a brief welcome speech during the first protocol parade of a World Cup in which the 48 flags of the participating countries could be seen.

“Mexicans are very honored that this is where the first match of this wonderful soccer tradition that unites us all begins,” Hayek, who is originally from the Mexican state of Veracruz, said in Spanish. “Long live Mexico and long live soccer!”

Hayek has been appointed an ambassador for the 2026 World Cup.

OPERA AND K-POP UNITED

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and South Korean star Ejae performed DNA, the tournament’s official anthem, with French DJ and producer David Guetta at the flag parade.

Bocelli has just performed for more than 130,000 fans in April at Mexico City’s Zocalo. Ejae is famous for being the voice of the character Rumi in the film KPop Demon Hunters and for being one of the composers of the Oscar-winning song Golden from the animated film.

SOUTH AFRICA AND MEXICO NATIONAL ANTHEMS

Tyla and Alejandro Fernandez were the designated performers for the national anthems of South Africa and Mexico, respectively, before kickoff.

In 2024, Tyla won the first Grammy for best African music performance and, in doing so, became the youngest African artist to win a Grammy.

Fernandez’s life has been dedicated to regional Mexican music. The so-called Potrillo is the son of the late star Vicente Fernandez. On FIFA’s album, Fernandez performs Mi Mexico Lindo.

VANCOUVER, June 11 : Fans arriving in Vancouver for the World Cup are braving steep ticket prices, but some are shrugging off the cost, drawn instead by personal journeys that extend beyond football – from honouring loved ones to sharing the tournament with family.

The global showpiece event, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, started on Thursday with Mexico beating South Africa 2-0 in a feisty clash that produced three red cards. Vancouver hosts its first match on Saturday, when Turkey face Australia in a Group D game.

For some supporters, the trip carries deep personal meaning. A German fan said he chose to visit Vancouver in tribute to his late father, who was fond of the city, even as he acknowledged the rising cost of attending matches.

“We are here to watch Australia against Turkey, and I’m happy to get some tickets,” Harold from Germany told Reuters.

“I paid $150. That’s a lot of money for a football match, but I got lucky to get tickets at this price.”

“We’ve been to tournaments in Germany, the World Cup, and the World Cup in Brazil in 2014, and it has always been expensive, but it’s getting more and more expensive, and I don’t like this, but I think it’s a great atmosphere.”

LASTING MEMORIES

Australian fan Mark Wright, attending his fifth World Cup with his family, said the expense mattered little compared with the chance to create lasting memories.

The Socceroos have made a habit of qualifying for the global showpiece, reaching the last six editions and advancing to the round of 16 for a second time in Qatar four years ago.

“It wasn’t about the cost. I’ve been to four World Cups now, and it’s never about the cost,” Wright said. “It’s about following my country and my team, and spending time with my family.

“For me, the World Cup is a lifetime memory – doing things that I love, celebrating, watching.

“I think the World Cup makes everywhere better. You see the best version of a country or a city, because people are happy. Generally, the weather decides to be good as well, out of some sort of miracle. But football is life, as they say in (the popular TV show) Ted Lasso, and I think that gives everyone a bit of a feeling, and it improves the city.”

SANTA CLARA, California, June 11 : Born in refugee camps to parents displaced by conflict in Africa, three players will show the changing face of Australian soccer at the World Cup and look to answer the nation’s call for goals.

Coach Tony Popovic is putting his faith in attackers Mohamed Toure and Nestory Irankunda, two young talents eyeing their first World Cup minutes in the Socceroos’ opening match against Turkey on Saturday.

At 30, Awer Mabil is the duo’s “older brother” and will be on hand to support them as a mentor at his second World Cup.

The three have a shared experience as the children of asylum seekers who rose through the footballing ranks in Australia’s sleepy state capital of Adelaide.

Already feted among Australia’s 500,000-strong African diaspora, their chemistry may be key to Australia’s hopes of advancing through the group phase and winning a World Cup knockout match for the first time.

“It’s the country that gave us the opportunity to live,” said 22-year-old Toure.

“So I think (the World Cup) would be the best way to pay back and just do what I love at a top level.”

Toure, who plays in England’s second tier, was born in a refugee camp in Guinea after his parents fled Liberia.

Despite only having 10 caps, he has made himself Popovic’s first-choice striker after a flying start with Norwich City where he scored nine goals in 11 appearances.

CIVIL WAR

He is firm friends with 20-year-old Irankunda, who drew his first breath in a Tanzanian refugee camp and also plays in England’s second tier for Watford.

Irankunda’s much-hyped signing by Bayern Munich in 2024 did not work out but the son of Burundian parents has become a fan favourite in 15 appearances for Australia with his energy and flashy goal celebrations.

Mabil’s first foray into soccer was playing with other kids at a refugee camp in Kenya where he lived until he was 10 following his family’s displacement by civil war in Sudan.

Overlooked by Popovic initially, the 38-cap forward was recalled to the Socceroos for the first time in nearly two years in March after finding form for Castellon in Spain’s second division. 

“Obviously, I had a little taste in the last one (World Cup), but this one will mean extra because I think it’s not been an easy couple of years for me,” he said.

Once all-but-dominated by players with European heritage, Socceroos squads have become increasingly diverse.

Six players with African heritage – nearly a quarter of the World Cup squad – will hope to take the field in North America, double the amount selected for Qatar 2022.

Four grew up and played in Adelaide, an unlikely hotbed of African soccer talent.

Towering, Japan-based striker Tete Yengi, who scored on his debut in Australia’s 1-1 World Cup warmup against Switzerland, is the other member of the Adelaide cohort.

Yengi, whose brother Kusini is also a capped Socceroos forward, has South Sudanese heritage and a strong rapport with his former Adelaide United teammate Irankunda.

The Adelaide A-League club has strong links to the city’s African communities and a record of promoting raw juniors, having given Irankunda his debut at 15.

“That’s why we keep producing these hidden gems,” Deng Akoy, a South Sudanese-Australian coach for Adelaide’s youth team, told Reuters.

While Australia grants asylum to thousands of refugees every year, immigration has become a political football in the country, with populist politicians blaming it for high housing costs and social ills. 

Players like Toure and Irankunda have the chance to shift the narrative at the World Cup and show the success of multiculturalism, said Akoy.

“Australian football is reflecting modern Australia. So that’s something we should all celebrate.”

INGLEWOOD, California, June 11 : Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro said on Thursday his players had already achieved something special by ending the country’s 16-year World Cup absence, but added that they are here to compete rather than simply celebrate their return to the tournament.

Paraguay face co-hosts the United States in their opening Group D match on Friday, marking the South Americans’ first World Cup appearance since 2010.

“In my view they have already won,” Alfaro said of his players at a pre-match news conference on the eve of the game.

“After 16 years they qualified when it seemed impossible, when there was no hope.”

The Argentine added that the team had restored the connection with the fans.

“They’ve recovered Paraguay’s DNA.”

While acknowledging the emotion surrounding Paraguay’s return, Alfaro stressed that his squad’s ambitions extend beyond merely taking part.

“We are not here just to be part of the World Cup,” he said. “We’re here to compete.”

Alfaro expected the opening test to be difficult, with the United States playing on home soil under coach Mauricio Pochettino.

“Of course it is complex to face one of the hosts,” Alfaro said, pointing to the quality of their opponents’ European-based players.

Paraguay would need to show concentration and discipline, he added, especially against a U.S. side who were dangerous from set pieces.

Paraguay also received encouraging signs regarding the fitness of Strasbourg winger Julio Enciso, who is recovering from an injury suffered shortly before the tournament.

“Julio is doing very well,” Alfaro said, adding that he had followed the required steps in his recovery and would continue to be assessed before a decision is made on his availability.

Alfaro said the squad, and the country, wanted Enciso to be ready, and suggested he would start if fit.

As anticipation builds ahead of Paraguay’s long-awaited return to the World Cup, Alfaro said he had urged his players to stay calm as they counted down the final hours before kick-off.

“We waited 16 years,” he said. “We can wait one more day.”

June 12 : ACT Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham will lead the Australia A coaching staff this year alongside departing Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt and Western Force’s Simon Cron, Rugby Australia said on Friday.

Larkham previously worked as attack coach for the test team under Michael Cheika but was sacked in early 2019 and spent three years in Ireland as an assistant coach at Munster.

He returned to the Brumbies in 2023 and has since led the team to three straight Super Rugby semi-finals.

“We are pleased to have assembled a highly credentialled and experienced Australia A coaching staff for this year,” RA’s Director of High Performance Peter Horne said in a statement.

“To have Stephen, Simon and Joe driving this program will ensure our next cohort of players get access to an elite-level environment where they have the opportunity to grow and develop their games.”

The appointment will also keep Schmidt in Australian rugby after he steps down as Wallabies coach in July, providing a major boost to the development program ahead of next year’s World Cup in Australia.

Schmidt, who has been in charge of the Wallabies since 2024, is set to be replaced by Les Kiss.

“With the home World Cup firmly on the horizon, building genuine depth is one of our key priorities and this campaign will allow us to do exactly that,” Horne added.

RA added that Australia A’s fixtures for 2026 would be released later this month.

LOS ANGELES, California: Growing up in Miami, Mr Thomas Guzman was the odd one out when it came to the sport and the team he loved.

“When I was a kid in school, nobody liked soccer,” recalled the US men’s national soccer team supporter. “It’s very Venezuelan, very Cuban, a lot of baseball.”

Fast forward two decades, and things have changed.

“When I would tell my friends I’m a US fan, they would look at me shocked. But I’ve had the same friends now for like 20 years, and they are now big US soccer fans because of me. The game is growing.”

Speaking to CNA on Thursday (Jun 11) at a fan festival in Los Angeles that was screening Mexico’s opening World Cup game with South Africa, Mr Guzman stood out in a sea of green.

He travelled from Florida to catch the US’ opener with Paraguay, but also wanted to be at the event for Mexico’s match.

“There’s hype. I talked to my friends, my family – they’re excited. Everyone’s excited,” he said. “When I got here, people were on the aeroplane with soccer jerseys.”

“IT’S JUST EXPENSIVE”

In a country dominated by other sports, there has been growing excitement for the World Cup.

Spain’s arrival in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has generated much buzz among the community, many of whom were eager to catch a glimpse of the team and teen phenom Lamine Yamal. 

Several states away in St Louis, Missouri, fans swarmed the streets for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s friendly with Panama.

In the city of Auburn, Alabama, a massive crowd of 88,000 watched Argentina beat Iceland 3-0 in a pre-tournament friendly.

Speaking to CNA, Mr Gerald Foston, head of Sammers SC – a US supporter group – said excitement will kick in for members of the group this week as they start packing for games.

“Most of us attending the matches do not live on the West Coast and we are planning for an extended stay,” he added.

Veteran journalist Steven Goff, who has spent decades covering US football, told CNA that there is excitement in the World Cup host cities.

“The high prices and general bad image of FIFA have cast a negative light on the tournament. A strong start by the host teams, particularly the US, would help elevate things.”

FIFA’s pricing of tickets has come under heavy criticism from supporters who have argued that the cost of attending matches has become prohibitive. 

Many other cities in the US have been in the headlines for expensive transport offerings to get fans to and from games.

“Like all fans, we are disgusted about the FIFA money grab as well as some transportation costs in various cities,” said Mr Foston.

“Members who cannot make the matches either due to cost or unsuccessful lottery results will watch matches at their local pubs or fan fests.”

At a coffee stand in downtown LA on Tuesday, barista Lee was sporting a faded Bayern Munich jersey. He supports the Netherlands, but said he would be open to going to any game if ticket prices are reasonable.

“It’s definitely a bit pricier than it should be, but hopefully the prices do drop to make it reasonable for the fans.”

At the fan festival was football fan Dany Fuentes, who echoed similar sentiments.

“The plans are there, the desire is there, the hope is there, the money is not,” he said. “We do want to go (to the US games). But you know how it is, it’s just expensive.”

PART OF THE CULTURE

The last time the US hosted the World Cup was in 1994, and much has changed since then.

“The perception and growth of the sport has improved steadily over the decades. Soccer is part of the culture in many parts of the country,” said Mr Goff.

There is now a 30-team men’s first-division league, multiple lower-division leagues, as well as a growing women’s league, he added.

In addition, the sport is “more visible than ever”, with every major European league on TV and streams.

“It’s not uncommon to see large groups gather at bars or parties to watch an Arsenal or Barcelona match, then attend a game in person. Kids know Lamine (Yamal) as well as they know LeBron (James).”

This interest in the sport stateside is translating into growth in other areas, such as collectables.

“Trading cards around the world are starting to get more popular, and sports cards are like the biggest part of that. And the sport they care about around the world is soccer,” Danny Leserman, owner and CEO of Culver Collectibles in Los Angeles, told CNA.

“You see it growing in interest even without the World Cup.”

Over the past few months, interest in football cards globally has exploded, he added.

“The World Cup is bringing all sorts of interest that you probably would have never had. The World Cup is definitely bringing a lot of good business.”

There is “cautious optimism” surrounding Mauricio Pochettino’s US side.

“They’ve shown flashes of excellence, such as the 5-1 win over Uruguay last fall and the first half vs Senegal … but they’ve yet to prove they can beat a major opponent,” said Mr Goff.

In their most recent friendlies, the US fell 1-2 to Germany and beat Senegal 3-2. They lost to Portugal 0-2 and Belgium 2-5 in March.

“Based on the last two friendlies, I believe there is a positive attitude towards the team, and the expectation is to win at least one knockout round match,” said Mr Foston.

The last time the Americans made it to the quarter-finals was at the 2002 World Cup, with a squad boasting the likes of Landon Donovan, Brad Friedel and Brian McBride, but they fell 0-1 to Germany.

“On paper, given the club/league affiliations of many players, the US at home, should be a team capable of finally getting beyond the round of 16,” said Mr Goff.

“They’ve haven’t reached the quarterfinals since 2002. Realistically, the round of 16 will mark the end. We shall see.”

GUADALAJARA, Mexico, June 11 : South Korea came back from a goal down to snatch a thrilling 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in their World Cup Group A opener on Thursday, substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu grabbing the winner in the 80th minute.

Korea captain Son Heung-Min wasted a number of decent chances before his Czech counterpart Ladislav Krejci broke the deadlock against the run of play in the 59th minute by heading home from a long throw-in, but the lead was short-lived as Hwang In-Beom kept his cool to dink the equaliser over the keeper eight minutes later. 

Tomas Soucek thought he had put the Czechs back in front with a header from a free kick in the 77th minute but the goal was chalked off for offside, and less than three minutes later the Koreans went ahead as Hwang turned provider, pulling the ball back for Oh to fire home from close range. 

Co-hosts Mexico top the group after their 2-0 win over South Africa and they will meet the South Koreans in Guadalajara next Thursday, while the Czechs take on South Africa in Atlanta. 

Ecuador’s last defeat came against Brazil in Curitiba in September 2024 in the early stages of World Cup qualifying, and they have conceded only six goals during that run, five of them in friendlies.

They finished second in South American qualifying to book a World Cup berth for a fifth time, all since their 2002 debut.

The Ivorians were even stingier in defence as they completed their 10 qualifiers without conceding a single goal, but the quality of opposition they faced was weaker than the teams Ecuador had to play against.

Ecuador’s last defeat came against Brazil in Curitiba in September 2024 in the early stages of World Cup qualifying, and they have conceded only six goals during that run, five of them in friendlies.

They finished second in South American qualifying to book a World Cup berth for a fifth time, all since their 2002 debut.

The Ivorians were even stingier in defence as they completed their 10 qualifiers without conceding a single goal, but the quality of opposition they faced was weaker than the teams Ecuador had to play against.

GUADALAJARA, Mexico, June 11 : Czech Republic coach Miroslav Koubek praised his players for their effort in Thursday’s World Cup opening loss to South Korea but said the better team won and his side needed to add more bite to the attack to stay in the tournament.

South Korea rallied from a goal down to defeat the Czechs 2-1 in Group A, dealing Koubek’s men their first loss after a string of six unbeaten matches.

“We really made some mistakes but also made opportunities. Our opponent was very fast,” Koubek told reporters. “The better team won.

“We had to fight and we did,” he added. “Now we need to move on. We need to be more attacking and creative in the last 30 metres. In the attack we have room for improvement.”

Ladislav Krejci put the Czechs ahead with a fine header as they dominated in the air but Hwang In-beom soon equalised and then turned provider for substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu’s winner.

Koubek also said the Czechs needed to see more from key players like striker Patrik Schick and attacking midfielder Pavel Sulc both of whom he substituted in the second half after the two appeared exhausted in the warm temperature.

The Czechs next meet South Africa on June 18.

“We will face a difficult opponent and we have just faced a difficult opponent,” Koubek said. “It was our obligation to play until the end so it’s clear the players are exhausted.”

Despite a first defeat for the 74-year-old since taking the job, Koubek found positives, especially the performance in midfield of Alexandr Sojka who won his first competitive cap.

He also shrugged off the travelling in store for the Czechs who go to Atlanta next week to take on the South Africans while co-hosts and Group A leaders Mexico face South Korea.

“We just have to live with it because that is what others planned for us,” said Koubek. “Our logistics team is good but it is not ideal we have to travel that much.”

GUADALAJARA, Mexico, June 11 : It was the tale of “Beauty and the Beast” that lit up the Estadio Guadalajara on Thursday, with South Korea’s prettier, stylish football triumphing over the Czech Republic’s rugged, route-one tactics in an adrenaline-fuelled World Cup encounter.

South Korea were more than worthy of the 2-1 win, showing their trademark indomitable spirit with a come-from-behind victory to join Mexico atop Group A, all packed into the scintillating second half of a match the Asian side dominated.

The Koreans had their game plan and stuck to it, taking it to the Czechs throughout, with silky, intricate play and precision passes that put their opponents on the back foot.

Talisman Son Heung-min got the lion’s share of the chances, yet – frustratingly – none of the goals.

South Korea demonstrated their World Cup pedigree, present in 11 successive tournaments and unbeaten in qualifying with a whopping 40 goals scored, delivering on Thursday an early message of intent that a deep run could be on the cards.   

Son worked seamlessly with the impressive Lee Kang-in and Lee Jae-sung to create a host of first-half chances, with the trio combining darting runs through the middle with a succession of dangerous pass-and-go moves that they just could not finish. 

BRUTE STRENGTH AND GARGANTUAN THROWS

But in a game of stark contrasts, it was the Czechs and their direct, physical play who scored first through Ladislav Krejci just before the hour with a perfectly timed header from a 35-metre, slingshot-like throw from Vladimir Coufal.

South Korea were buoyed by a largely Mexican crowd in Guadalajara that was clearly rooting for them.

They kept cool heads and levelled eight minutes later, when Hwang In-beom picked up Lee Kang-in’s neat through pass and turned brilliantly to fool two defenders, before deftly lifting the ball over advancing goalkeeper Matej Kovar.   

They seized the momentum and battled hard for the win, going ahead after 80 minutes when Hwang turned provider with a precise low cross for substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu to turn into the net. 

Strong and dangerous on almost every set-piece, the Czechs stuck with what they knew best as they pushed for an equaliser in a dramatic finish, with Adam Hlozek close to scoring from another gargantuan throw and Tomas Soucek’s headed goal from a free kick disallowed for offside.  

South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo commended his players for their fighting spirit and an approach that went just as he had instructed.   

“Before the match I gave the players two messages,” he said. “To not give up until the end, and to unite as one and play together.”