Overview
- The tournament begins on June 11 at Estadio Ciudad de México with Mexico vs. South Africa kicking off at 13:00 local time after a 90-minute inauguration show that starts before the match.
- FIFA confirmed a heavy musical lineup for the Azteca ceremony, led by Shakira performing the official song with Burna Boy and featuring Alejandro Fernández as the national‑anthem singer along with Belinda, J Balvin, Maná and Tyla.
- IFAB and FIFA rule changes will be enforced for the tournament including mandatory rehydration pauses, a 10-second limit for substituted players to leave the field, a five-second limit for restarts like throw-ins and goal kicks, expanded VAR review permissions, sanctions for players who leave the pitch in protest, and the disciplinary 'Ley Vinicius' targeting in-play concealment of discriminatory speech.
- Mexico coach Javier Aguirre invoked his 1986 Azteca experience and has named a 26‑player squad but is keeping his starting lineup secret, leaving late speculation about selections including the goalkeeping spot between Raúl Rangel and Guillermo Ochoa.
- FIFA will stage three separate 90-minute inaugural ceremonies—Mexico, Canada and the United States—with the Azteca becoming the first stadium to host three World Cup opening matches and broadcasters and streaming services such as ViX rolling out rights and special programming to cover the multi-host schedule.