Shakira and Burna Boy kicked off the World Cup with a performance at the spectacular opening ceremony in Mexico City. The Colombian singer performed 'Let's Go', the official World Cup song, alongside Nigerian artist Burna Boy ahead of the opening fixture in Mexico City. Joint hosts Mexico are taking on South Africa in the first game of the tournament.
High-Octane Ceremony Launches Biggest Ever World Cup
The high-octane ceremony launched the biggest ever FIFA World Cup, where 48 countries will compete. It began with performers dressed as a giant World Cup rose up in the centre of the pitch. Mexican pop rock band Mana were the first group to perform. Venezuelan singer Danny Ocean also sang alongside performers dressed in traditional Mexican dress, followed by Colombian artist J Balvin. Then Shakira and Burna Boy took to the stage in the finale.
Star-Studded Performances
The ceremony featured a range of international artists, with Shakira and Burna Boy headlining the event. The performance was a spectacular start to a tournament that, for the first time in its nearly 100-year history, is being jointly hosted by three countries: Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
Controversy Over Tickets and Visas
However, ahead of the kick-off, the tournament has courted huge controversy over ticket prices and visa issues in the US. A Somalian referee was denied a visa, while Iran, amid its conflict with the US, has been forced to move its training camp to Mexico. The price of tickets has forced many fans who would have liked to travel to the global tournament to stay at home.
