Shakira and Andrea Bocelli headlined the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City, kicking off the first-ever 48-team tournament. While the matches are hosted across the US, Canada, and Mexico, the economic ripple effects are being felt globally. Malaysia and the ASEAN region are projected to benefit from a significant portion of the US$41 billion in expected global economic activity, driven by record-breaking digital viewership, sports tourism, and a surge in retail sales tied to the event.