The 2026 FIFA World Cup may have kicked off thousands of kilometres away in Mexico City, but on Thursday night, Eswatini was very much part of the celebration.
While the world tuned in for football's biggest spectacle, local fans gathered across the country to soak in the excitement of an opening ceremony that blended music, culture and sport on a grand scale.
At the iconic Estadio Azteca, the tournament opened with a star-studded showcase featuring Colombian superstar Shakira, Nigerian hitmaker Burna Boy, J Balvin, Andrea Bocelli, EJAE and South African sensation Tyla.
The performances transformed the stadium into a global stage before hosts Mexico took on South Africa in the tournament's opening fixture.
Back home, the excitement was just as palpable. In Mbabane, football lovers began arriving early at Msunduza Sports Ground, where a public viewing event brought supporters together to watch the historic opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
Dressed in team colours and carrying national pride, fans gathered to witness the start of what promises to be a month-long football celebration.
Elsewhere in the capital, Albert Millin became another gathering point for supporters looking to enjoy the occasion in a lively atmosphere.
The venue welcomed football fans eager to relax, socialise and catch every moment of the opening night action.
One of the evening's most exclusive gatherings took place at Hilton Garden Inn Mbabane, where Eswatini Beverages hosted a private World Cup watch party.
The event drew invited guests from across the sporting and corporate sectors, with excitement building long before kick-off.
Among those in attendance were Eswatini Beverages Country Director Doreen Tumureebire, Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima.
Football stakeholders, supporters and guests filled the venue, creating a vibrant atmosphere as anticipation grew ahead of the opening clash.
While the football provided the reason to gather, it was the entertainment surrounding the tournament that dominated conversations throughout the evening.
Social media timelines were flooded with clips from the opening ceremony, with many fans praising Shakira's return to the World Cup stage and celebrating Tyla's appearance during one of the most watched sporting events on the planet.
For many, the opening night served as more than just the beginning of a football tournament. It was an opportunity to come together, enjoy live entertainment, share in a global moment and experience the excitement that only the FIFA World Cup can deliver.
With the tournament now officially underway and viewing events expected to continue throughout the coming weeks, Thursday night's celebrations offered a glimpse of the festive atmosphere that will accompany the world's biggest sporting event as fans across Eswatini join millions around the globe for the journey to the final.
For South African supporters, the opening night ended in disappointment as Bafana Bafana fell 2-0 to hosts Mexico in front of a packed Estadio Azteca.
Despite a spirited effort, South Africa struggled to find a breakthrough against a Mexican side buoyed by home support and eager to make a statement in the tournament's opening fixture.
The result leaves South Africa with work to do in Group A as they look to revive their World Cup campaign in their next outing.
With the tournament still in its early stages, Bafana Bafana will be hoping to regroup quickly and secure valuable points in the matches ahead to keep their knockout-stage hopes alive.
World Cup action continues on Friday with more group-stage fixtures set to take centre stage as teams begin their quest for football's biggest prize.
Fans across Eswatini are expected to return to fan parks, sports bars and viewing venues around the country as the excitement surrounding the month-long tournament continues to build.
NB: International images sourced.
