WORLD HEADLINE-:FOOTBALL-2026 FIFA WORLD CUP: Shakira and Burna Boy light up World Cup opening ceremony
WATCH VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrnBiw470LQ&list=RDIrnBiw470LQ&start_radio=1
Shakira and Burna Boy perform the official World Cup song in Mexico City as the 2026 tournament kicks off at the Estadio Azteca.
MEXICO CITY: Shakira and Nigerian singer Burna Boy had the spectators out of their seats in the opening ceremony for the 2026 World Cup in the Estadio Azteca on Thursday ahead of the opening match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa.
The 48-team tournament is also being hosted by the United States and Canada and will feature 104 games, culminating in the final in New Jersey on July 19.
.
Colombian singer, songwriter and producer Shakira and Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer Burna Boy perform during the opening ceremony ahead of the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026 – AFP
..
The World Cup is an exception. Fun is more fragmented than ever
Taylor Swift is among the American elite of megastars with a global fanbase, but entertainment below the top rank is increasingly fragmented into local niches.
PHOTO : REUTERS
With lyrics in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Japanese, the theme tune of the men’s World Cup, performed at its opening ceremony on June 11, exemplifies the contest’s claim to foster global unity. Nearly half the world is expected to tune in over the coming weeks as the tournament moves towards its final on the outskirts of New York. A viewer might come away with two conclusions. First, that entertainment culture is more globalised than ever. Second, that America remains the soft-power superpower at the centre of it all.
Both assumptions would be wrong. Mega-events like the World Cup still seize global attention. But the bigger picture is that entertainment is fragmenting..
READ MORE: The World Cup is an exception. Fun is more fragmented than ever | The Straits Times
…
.
Memento Maxima Digital Marketing…
Japan captain Endo ends international career after World Cup injury blow
Japan captain Wataru Endo withdraws from World Cup due to injury and retires from international football at age 33.
NASHVILLE: Japan captain Wataru Endo was ruled out of the World Cup with injury and announced his international retirement on Thursday, three days before his team’s opener against the Netherlands.
The Liverpool midfielder pulled out of the tournament after failing to recover from a foot injury, and was replaced in Japan’s squad by Borussia Monchengladbach’s Shuto Machino.
The 33-year-old Endo said on social media that he was “frustrated” at not being able to play but backed his team to impress in Group F, where they face the Dutch, Tunisia and Sweden.
…
.
…
Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 to kick off World Cup
Mexico City World Cup fan zone sees scuffles as fans push for entry
Thousands of football fans jostle for entry at Mexico City’s World Cup fan zone, causing chaotic scenes before the opening game.
MEXICO CITY: Thousands of football fans attempted to shove their way into Mexico City’s official World Cup fan zone on Thursday, creating chaotic scenes shortly before kick-off in the opening game.
….
.
..
Harimau Malaya climbs to 136th in Fifa world rankings
South Korea fight back to beat Czech Republic in World Cup opener
PUBLISHED : 12 Jun 2026
GUADALAJARA, Mexico – South Korea rallied from a goal down to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1 and make a winning start to their World Cup Group A campaign, much to the delight of their fans and the sizeable local Mexican support they enjoyed in a festive Guadalajara on Thursday.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/sports/3269876/south-korea-fight-back-to-beat-czech-republic-in-world-cup-opener.
