The first major World Cup match to be hosted in Mexico since 1986 was marked by a performance from the Colombian singer Shakira, who opened the tournament with a 12-minute set at the Estadio Azteca. The match, between Mexico and New Zealand, drew a global audience estimated at 1.2 billion viewers.
In the United Kingdom, broadcast rights for the tournament were sold to ITV and Sky Sports for £325 million, a record for a World Cup held outside of Europe. The deal represents a 40 per cent increase from the previous cycle, reflecting the growing commercial value of live football. Industry analysts attribute the rise to increased competition between streaming platforms and traditional broadcasters.
The opening ceremony, which also featured a tribute to the 1970 Mexico World Cup, was praised for its logistical efficiency. The match itself ended in a 2-0 victory for Mexico.
