Mexico City has become the center of world football. Today, in the capital of Mexico, the most awaited moment of the year began: the 2026 World Football Championship.
- Sergiu Alexandru and Ionuț Iordache (photo) are at the World Championship and will sign special correspondence for Gazeta Sporturilor during the final tournament in Mexico, Canada and the USA
From June 11 to July 19, world football will be in celebration as the biggest World Cup in history will take place, with 104 matches. The first was scheduled in Ciudad de Mexico, between Mexico and South Africa. And the atmosphere was sensational.
VIDEO. Sensational atmosphere before Mexico – South Africa
The match was scheduled for 13:00 local time, with the festivities starting an hour and a half earlier. And the Mexicans stormed the 80,000-seat stadium, being present around the arena since 8 in the morning, to enter the stadium as quickly as possible.
With all eyes on them, the Mexicans put on a show, both outside the arena and inside the stadium. Although there were also some disgruntled protesters near the stadium, the atmosphere was peaceful and there were no problems.
And around the arena and in the stadium was a real Mexican fiesta. An explosion of colors, especially green, traditional music, dances and all sorts of acrobats. And people of all ages, women and men, joined the party, singing, dancing and cheering on Mexico's national team.
Show and in the stadium
In the stadium, the largest of this World Cup, the arena was filled an hour before the opening ceremony. Fans poured in enthusiastically and before finding their seats, they stopped to take a picture of the famous Mexico City Stadium, the first in history to host three opening matches at a World Cup.
After reaching their seats, the supporters continued to enjoy the great event, singing at the top of their lungs and dancing to the traditional music that the organizers put on the sound system.
Ahead of the opening ceremony, the decibel level rose significantly as images of Mexico's players arriving at the stadium were played on the screens and as South Africa's players took to the pitch, they were booed profusely.
