VIVA MEXICO

Belinda takes the stage at the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony after a special sendoff from Salma Hayek

Who are you rooting for in the World Cup?

JUNE 11, 2026 5:14 PM EDTJUN 11, 2026, 5:14 PM EDT

The World Cup is officially underway, and the energy is at an all-time high in Mexico City. Mexico and South Africa were the first on the pitch, and the opening ceremony included a star-studded musical lineup. One of the incredible moments came from Belinda, who performed alongside Los Ángeles Azules for thousands inside Mexico City's Estadio Ciudad de México with millions watching around the world.

But before stepping onto one of the biggest stages of her career, Belinda shared a special moment backstage with Salma Hayek.

Salma was one of the last people to wish her luck

The iconic Mexicans happily posed for photos together, looking stunning. There was clearly some commotion backstage as Hayek patted her on the back, wished her good luck, and encouraged her to hurry onto the stage. "We'll be in contact," Belinda assured Hayek as she turned around with a large smile and headed out to the ceremony.

Salma Hayek wishes Belinda good luck

The opening ceremony was full of Mexican pride

It was an electrifying start with a giant World Cup trophy display dominating the center of the stadium while fans eagerly awaited what was to come. Belinda made her entrance in a stunning Mexican pink corset featuring more than 90,000 Swarovski crystals.

Belinda's outfit for the opening of the 2026 World Cup

After being introduced by Los Ángeles Azules, she performed "Por Ella" surrounded by dancers in colorful traditional costumes, which added even more energy to the celebration.

The Opening Ceremony during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Mexico and South Africa

The performance ended with a loud "¡Viva México!" as Belinda and Los Ángeles Azules handed the stage over to J Balvin. Shakira and Burna Boy later closed out the musical portion of the ceremony with the official FIFA anthem, "Dai Dai." It also featured performances from Lila Downs, Maná, and Danny Ocean.

Belinda's emotional reaction

Belinda was emotional after the performance

After leaving the stage to a roaring applause, Belinda reflected on the experience. "I feel very emotional," she said, still buzzing from the performance."It was a historic moment for me. Feeling the energy of the crowd, being on that stage, hearing people singing, screaming, applauding, dancing—that spirit, that magical energy inside the stadium was unforgettable."

For Belinda, it was more than just another performance ."Honestly, it's an experience I will always remember," she said.

Belinda's performance marked the start of a historic World Cup. The 2026 tournament is the first ever to be hosted by three countries: Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Matches are taking place across all three nations before the final on July 19 in New Jersey.

Flag bearers are seen during the Parade of Nations during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City Stadium

According to BetMGM's early odds, Spain is currently the favorite to win the 2026 World Cup, followed closely by France. England, Brazil, and Portugal round out the top five contenders. Defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi are also among the favorites, while Germany and the Netherlands sit a bit further behind.