BANGKOK, Thailand – The FIFA World Cup 2026 has officially kicked off, with Mexico, Canada, and the United States co-hosting the tournament running from June 11 to July 19. The opening ceremony took place at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico, featuring a large-scale performance blending Latin and African musical influences. The opening show highlighted the official song “Dai Dai”, performed by Shakira and Burna Boy, symbolizing a cultural connection between continents ahead of the opening match.
More than 80,000 fans attended the opening match between Mexico and South Africa. The game was marked by intense action and disciplinary issues, with a total of three red cards issued during the match. Despite being reduced to 10 players, Mexico secured a strong 2–0 victory over South Africa, who also finished the match with nine men. The result puts Mexico at the top of Group A after the first round of matches.
Separately, broadcasting rights in Thailand for the tournament have drawn attention after reports that JAS has secured long-term FIFA media rights, covering both the 2026 and 2030 World Cups, along with other FIFA competitions over a four-year cycle. The deal is valued at approximately 70 million USD (around 2.3 billion baht). Under current plans, the World Cup broadcast package in Thailand is expected to include 104 matches via a streaming platform, priced at around 5,999 baht per year, with selected matches also airing on free-to-air television. Coverage is also expected to include the opening ceremony and the final, along with pre-match performances and entertainment segments. (TNA)
