World Cup fans all had the same complaint following the tournament’s opening ceremony at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico. The curtain-raising event took place before the opening game between Mexico and South Africa in the co-host’s capital city.
Shakira was involved, as was Burna Boy and several Mexican pop artists, with a mix of songs in Spanish and English, bringing the party to a packed-out Azteca. While the general mood surrounding the opening ceremony was a positive one, fans did point out one glaring error with ITV’s coverage of the event.
Writing on X, @kevinthehack said: Great opening ceremony in Mexico for the World Cup but in typical style ITV have totally messed up the coverage. Keane, Neville and Wright sat in Manhattan thousands of miles away. No commentary of the acts we are seeing. Hopeless #WorldCup.”
@tonypaley wrote: “So @itv not having any commentary to accompany the World Cup opening ceremony? Which is odd…”
@johnco: “Are @itv not offering any commentary or explanation of what’s going on at the opening ceremony?”
@Roydini25 remarked: “#worldcup opening ceremony kicks off and ITV don’t show names of any of the artists so we have no idea what’s going on!”
@stephenharper4 said: “So ITV not commentating on World Cup opening ceremony?”
@bigsi40 added: “Thanks @ITV for telling us who the acts were at the @FIFAWorldCup opening ceremony. Really helpful and informative.”
It wasn’t all doom and gloom though, with @untilnextyear remarking: ” Fair play to ITV just letting the opening ceremony play out as is, without any kind of sarky commentary over the top.”
The ceremony itself helped bring the World Cup excitement to a fever pitch, with the South Africa players seen dancing their way into the stadium. Such was the energy on display by the Bafana Bafana players, even Roy Keane was wowed.
Speaking on the ITV coverage, he said: “Fantastic. It’s the opposite of how I used to approach a game, unfortunately. I’d love that. It’s great, isn’t it? Different cultures or whatever, but brilliant. Proper getting in the zone in a different way. Everyone together.”
While Ian Wright said: “It’s a brilliant way to come into a game, isn’t it? It must feel as though everybody’s so together and the vibe and the energy, brilliant. That’s what you want.”