The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off on Thursday, with fans worldwide eager to watch the opening ceremony from Mexico City. Many viewers in the United States expected Fox to broadcast the ceremony live before the opening match between Mexico and South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca, known as Mexico City Stadium for the tournament. However, numerous fans reported they could not find the live ceremony on Fox when it started, leading to a surge of complaints on social media.
Opening Ceremony Highlights
The event featured global music stars, including Shakira and Burna Boy, who were scheduled to perform before the tournament opener. The ceremony marked the beginning of the expanded 48-team World Cup, the largest edition in history. While the ceremony was available on Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo and Peacock, many English-speaking viewers expressed frustration over what they perceived as missing live coverage on Fox.
Social Media Backlash
As the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony commenced, social media quickly filled with questions from fans seeking the broadcast. One viewer wrote, “FOX what the hell why aren’t you showing any of the opening ceremony? You did at the last World Cup what gives???” Another asked, “Huh? Why isn’t FOX showing the World Cup opening ceremony?” A third fan posted, “Does anybody know why fox didn’t show the opening ceremony LIVE??”
Continued Confusion
The confusion persisted as more viewers joined the conversation online. One frustrated fan wrote, “Why is Fox not showing the opening ceremony if it’s happening right now.” Others shared similar reactions while searching for ways to watch the pre-match celebrations. As of reporting, Fox had not publicly responded to the complaints. Reports indicated that the ceremony was available through Telemundo and Peacock for Spanish-language audiences.
Shakira Headlines Mexico City Celebration
The Mexico City ceremony was one of three opening celebrations planned across the tournament’s host countries. Shakira and Burna Boy performed the official World Cup anthem before Mexico’s opening game. The event also featured several international and regional artists as FIFA launched the month-long competition.
Mexico and South Africa Open World Cup 2026
Following the ceremony, Mexico and South Africa met in the tournament’s first match. The game marked the official start of a World Cup that includes 48 teams and 104 matches across Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
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