Shakira and Burna Boy warm up spectators in World Cup opening ceremony

The 2026 World Cup kicked off in Mexico City with a star-studded opening ceremony featuring Shakira and Burna Boy. While the stadium atmosphere was festive, chaotic scenes occurred outside as fans struggled to enter the fan zone due to security barriers.
Why it matters
The World Cup is a major global sporting event, and logistical issues at opening ceremonies often reflect broader organizational challenges in host cities.
Shakira and Nigerian singer Burna Boy had the spectators out of their seats in the opening ceremony for the 2026 World Cup in the Estadio Azteca on Thursday (June 11, 2026) ahead of the opening match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa.
The report provides a factual account of both the entertainment success and the logistical failures.
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