The World Cup has kicked off as co-hosts Mexico defeated South Africa in front of 80,000 fans in the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Julian Quinones scored in the ninth minute of the opening game on Thursday, confirming Mexico's early dominance in a stadium that hosted the 1970 and 1986 finals.

Raul Jimenez scored another goal for Mexico. After representing the Mexico national team at four FIFA World Cups, he finally scored his elusive first goal.

The kickoff launched a sprawling tournament of 48 teams that will last nearly six weeks.

The extravaganza hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada is the biggest World Cup in history, stretching until the final in New Jersey on July 19 and is projected to generate a record-breaking $13 billion in total revenue.

The official opening ceremony lit up the Estadio Azteca stadium before kickoff with Colombian superstar Shakira and Nigerian singer Burna Boy delighting the crowd with a performance of "Dai Dai", the official song of the tournament.

But there were scuffles outside the stadium as fans pushed and shoved as they tried to get into the official fan zone in the centre of Mexico City.

The start of the action on the pitch will likely come as a welcome relief to football's world governing body FIFA, which has faced stinging criticism over the eye-watering costs of tickets.