Mexico launches historic 48-nation World Cup in Mexico City
via Business News2 min read
The 2026 FIFA World Cup commenced on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Mexico City, with Mexico facing South Africa in the opening match at the iconic Azteca Stadium. This 23rd edition of the World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada until July 19, marks a significant change with an unprecedented format featuring 48 national teams and a record 104 matches. A 15-minute opening ceremony, held before the match, celebrated Mexico's "unity, diversity, and ancestral culture" with traditional and contemporary music, customary dances, and a giant trophy display. Colombian singer Shakira performed "Dai Dai," a song composed for this World Cup, alongside Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy. J Balvin, Belinda, and Mexican singer Alejandro Fern谩ndez also participated in the festivities, which concluded with fireworks. The Azteca Stadium made history by hosting its third World Cup opening match, following 1970 and 1986, solidifying its status as a global football landmark. Thousands of fans gathered at the stadium, despite a significant security presence including the National Guard, riot police, and mounted units. Amidst the football celebration, social issues were also present, with a banner calling for a "boycott of the FIFA 2026 World Cup" displayed near the stadium. Striking teachers had also conducted protests, blocking parts of the capital. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated the situation was "under control," and the fan zone, set up in the Zocalo, opened as pla
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Bangladesh President Mohammad Shahabuddin, 76, announced his resignation on Friday, July 24, 2026, citing health reasons. Shahabuddin, who was elected by Parliament in 2023, stated in a letter to the Speaker of the lower house that illness was affecting his physical and mental capabilities, making it impossible to properly fulfill his responsibilities. His role was primarily ceremonial. Shahabuddin had announced the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, following weeks of anti-government riots. Hasina then fled to neighboring India. Shahabuddin's political opponents had regularly called for his departure. After an interim period led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP won the legislative elections in February, leading to its leader, Tarique Rahman, becoming the head of the country.
Tunisian champion Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi secured a gold medal at the Portugal Open G1 taekwondo tournament in the -68 kg category on Sunday, July 26, 2026. The Olympic medalist and world champion won the final after his Norwegian opponent forfeited. Jendoubi demonstrated a strong performance throughout the competition, defeating Portugal's Francisco Sousa in the round of 16 and Spain's Joan Jorquera 2-1 in a closely contested quarter-final match. This latest victory further solidifies Jendoubi's standing as a top international competitor in his weight class.
Mohamed Ali Nafti, Tunisia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad, spoke by phone with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptians Abroad, on Sunday, July 26, 2026. The two ministers reaffirmed the unique nature of Tunisian-Egyptian relations and highlighted the strong historical and fraternal ties between the two countries. They welcomed the positive evolution of bilateral cooperation across several sectors and expressed a shared desire to further strengthen these relations to higher levels, serving the interests of both peoples. They also praised the outcomes of the 18th session of the Tunisian-Egyptian Joint High Commission, held in Cairo in September 2025, emphasizing the importance of regular follow-up on its conclusions. The stated objective is to give new impetus to the partnership between Tunis and Cairo, particularly in economic, commercial, and investment fields, while exploring new cooperation opportunities. Regional developments, especially the situation in Libya, were also a significant part of their discussions. Both parties expressed satisfaction with the results of the meeting of the tripartite mechanism of Libya's neighboring countries, organized in Cairo on May 21, 2026. Nafti reiterated Tunisia's consistent position in favor of preserving Libya's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as respecting its national institutions. The Tunisian minister stress