Fifa World Cup 2026 begins

Football fans are heading later to the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City where the first match of the World Cup will kick off. The opening ceremony takes place there as well as in Toronto and Los Angeles. We hear from football fans around the world and speak to our reporters in Mexico City and in Johannesburg.

We also speak to organisers of the previous opening ceremonies about what it takes to create these events.

The father of one of the pilots killed in last year's Air India plane crash has told the BBC he will continue to defend his son's reputation, on the eve of the first anniversary of the disaster. Our reporter joins to tell more about her interview.

The US singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo has become one of the world’s biggest pop stars. We speak to our music correspondent who has interviewed her.

Presenter: James Reynolds

(Photo: Football fan wearing a fluffy green hat with two fluffy footballs, Mexico City, Mexico, 11 June, 2026. Credit: Hannah Mckay/Reuters)