2026 World Cup opens in Mexico's iconic Azteca Stadium
via Le Matin4 min read
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, kicks off with a match between Mexico and South Africa at the Azteca Stadium. The opening ceremony will feature performances by Shakira, Burna Boy, J Balvin, and Maná, alongside over 500 dancers and mariachis. The Azteca Stadium makes history as the first venue to host the opening match of three different World Cups, having previously done so in 1970 and 1986. This edition marks a significant expansion, with 48 teams competing across 104 matches, a first for the tournament. FIFA has planned three separate opening ceremonies to honor each host nation. Following the Mexico opener, Toronto will host Canada's ceremony and a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Los Angeles will feature a concert with Katy Perry and Future before Team USA plays Paraguay. The tournament introduces a new group stage format with 12 groups of four teams, with the top two from each group and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to the round of 32. This expanded format aims to democratize football by including more nations. A highly anticipated group stage match is Brazil versus Morocco on June 13 in New York-New Jersey. Morocco, historic semi-finalists in 2022, will also play Scotland in Boston on June 19 and Haiti in Atlanta on June 24. The 2026 World Cup is expected to break audience and revenue records, with FIFA anticipating massive global economic benefits. Organizers are leveraging predictive logistics and digita
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Over 40,000 Moroccan residents in Spain are encountering significant difficulties with their driving licenses due to Spanish regulations concerning foreign permits. New residents can use their Moroccan license for six months, after which they must regularize their situation, a process proving complex for many. The main challenge for individuals like Abderrahim is passing the Spanish theoretical exams, despite being experienced drivers. This issue stems from a dispute in the early 2000s when Spanish authorities suspended direct conversion of some Moroccan licenses due to falsification and irregularities. Although relations between Rabat and Madrid have improved, and Morocco has modernized its licensing system with digital verification mechanisms, a specific group of Moroccans remains in an administrative gray area. These are individuals who obtained their Moroccan licenses while already legally residing in Spain, which excludes them from direct conversion and necessitates passing Spanish exams. For many, a driving license is crucial for professional and social integration, particularly in sectors like construction, agriculture, and delivery services, where mobility is essential for employment. The prospect of losing the right to drive causes significant concern, impacting income and family stability, in addition to daily constraints like transporting children and handling administrative tasks. Calls are growing for solutions that balance social and professional realities with
Moroccan communities in North American cities like Montreal and New York are showing exceptional mobilization for the 2026 World Cup. Preparations are intensifying, with flags selling out and restaurants and community spaces fully booked for match viewings. This widespread enthusiasm highlights football's role as a cultural unifier, allowing Moroccans in the "New World" to feel connected to their home country. The younger generation of Moroccans residing abroad MREs, born or raised in North America, are leading these efforts, organizing gatherings via social media and creating temporary "Fan Zones." Football serves as a powerful tool for cultural transmission, bringing together generations as parents and grandparents share the experience with their grandchildren. This demonstrates how young people can embrace both integration and their origins, celebrating their dual culture. This display of unity by the Moroccan diaspora will also serve as a significant showcase for the Kingdom's "soft power" internationally. Canadian and American media are expected to cover these large gatherings, projecting an image of a passionate and unified people. This mobilization also highlights the vitality and civic engagement of the Moroccan community to local authorities, as they act as ambassadors for Moroccan culture on a global stage.
Two days before the Morocco-Brazil match, the Moroccan national team has made two changes to its squad for the 2026 World Cup. Marwane Saâdane and Amine Sbaï have been added to the list of players, replacing Nayef Aguerd and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli. While the Royal Moroccan Football Federation FRMF has not yet officially announced these changes, they are already reflected on FIFA's administrative platform and in the updated lists of participating teams published by the international body.