At the iconic Azteca Stadium, located in the Mexican capital, the World Cup had its opening ceremony this Thursday (11). Unlike grandiose productions such as the closing of the Rio Olympics, the event opted for a leaner format, focusing on around 30 minutes of performances by big names in Latin pop, as well as representatives of rock and traditional Mexican music, to entertain the public before the first game between Mexico and South Africa in Group A. The choice for a start focused on local music and culture, but without any extensions, allowed attention to soon turn to the match, which marked the kickoff of the tournament.
The celebration began with the presentation of the original people of Mexico, who, dressed in costume, performed dances around a replica of the FIFA Cup, symbolizing the rich cultural heritage of a country marked by ancient civilizations such as the Aztecs and Mayans. After the local welcome, the band Maná, a veteran of Mexican rock, entertained the audience with “Oye mi amor”. Afterwards, Venezuelan singer Danny Ocean performed the song “Un partezo”, maintaining the festive atmosphere with the public that accompanied his arrival at the stadium.
Afterwards, the traditional Mexican sound gained prominence with the group Los Ángeles Azules, which, with five decades of experience, brought cumbia to the stage with “Por Ella”, with the participation of the renowned Alejandro Fernández and Belinda. Colombian star J Balvin thrilled the audience with his reggaetón “Qué calor”, despite the forecast of rain in Mexico City, accompanied by rapper Ryan Castro. The highlight was the performance of fellow Colombian Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, dressed in vibrant colors, who brought the audience to their feet with “Dai Dai”, the World Cup’s theme song, sharing the stage with Nigerian artist Burna Boy.
Concluding the musical festivities, the brief ceremony fulfilled its role of kicking off the World Cup, without overshadowing the excitement of football. After a brief break, the event continued with the parade of the flags of the 48 participating countries. Mexican actress Salma Hayek was present in an elegant red suit, and Andrea Bocelli’s performance alongside South Korean singer Ejae, with “DNA”, another official World Cup song, completed the opening, with the virtual participation of DJ David Guetta.