The opening ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico was met with a significant online reaction, largely manifesting as a surge of memes. Social media users responded to various aspects of the event, including performances and the tournament’s commencement. A particular focus of online humor centered around Gerard Piqué, a former Spanish footballer involved in the event’s organization, with many memes directed at him. The online commentary quickly overshadowed discussion of the event itself, becoming a dominant narrative. The memes ranged from lighthearted jokes to critical commentary regarding the ceremony’s execution and Piqué’s involvement. The rapid spread of these memes demonstrates the power of social media to shape public perception of major events. The event’s launch, while featuring musical performances and the official start of the tournament, ultimately became defined by the viral online response.