Italian tenor and global concert artist
Mexico has beaten South Africa 2-0 at Estadio Azteca to open the 2026 World Cup before about 80,000 fans. The stadium celebration has been accompanied by clashes outside: teachers, families of missing people and other groups have been protesting high public spending and social grievances, briefly confronting police and breaching barriers around fan zones.
Shakira has partnered with Burna Boy for the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem "Dai Dai". Performances slated across opening ceremonies in Mexico City, with further showcases in the US and Canada. The AP interview highlights Shakira’s history with World Cup anthems and the need for a song that unites cultures, while other artists like J Balvin emphasize a hook that grabs listeners from the start.
A curated playlist highlights the world’s most iconic World Cup songs, with tracks spanning from 1998 to 2026, underscoring football’s cultural reach and how nations celebrate on and off the pitch.
Public mourners gathered at Buckfast Abbey for Ann Widdecombe’s private requiem, following her death on 8 July at 78 after a fatal assault. The service featured tributes from family, political figures and clergy. A public memorial is planned later this year, with donations split between Leprosy Mission and Abound India.