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Shakira and Burna Boy have the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup set fire to the city with a rousing performance of this year’s official World Cup song “Dai Dai.”
The Colombian superstar singer was the first to enter the Estadio Ciudad de México (Estadio Azteca) – wearing a bright yellow mesh bodysuit with matching gloves – and delivered precise dance routines as she sang her latest World Cup song. Over the years, Shakira has become the epitome of the official tournament soundtrack, at least since the global mega-success of “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” at the 2010 World Cup.
Burna Boy joined midway through the track, wearing a matching denim look. The duo danced to their Afrobeats-inspired song on a giant turquoise and yellow flag that covered the entire field and read: “We are ready.”
Spectacular opening show
Before the two took over the stage with “Dai Dai,” the international tournament opened with a spectacular show featuring Maná, J Balvin, Los Ángeles Azules, Belinda and Danny Ocean. All artists who performed in Mexico City are featured on the official album of the 2026 FIFA World Cup – with the exception of Maná.
The opening show started with a healthy dose of Mexican pride: Maná rocked with their 1992 hit “Oye Mi Amor.” Ocean followed with his World Cup song “Partidazo,” before cumbia group Los Ángeles Azules and Belinda presented their soundtrack contribution “Por Ella.” Things got really international when Colombian superstar J Balvin entered the field and performed a medley of his hits. He turned the stage into a Colombian party when he brought in Ryan Castro for collaborative new track “Una a la Vez” before finally bringing the crowd to a boil with 2018 hit “I Like It.”
The crowning glory of the star line-up was Shakira and Burna Boy, who ended the show with green, white and red fireworks in the colors of the Mexican flag.
More highlights to follow
Further appearances are planned as part of the tournament games. Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, Lisa and Rema will take center stage at the opening ceremony of the first 2026 World Cup game in the USA on Friday in Los Angeles. And in Toronto, Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé and Alessia Cara are among the artists performing at the Canadian inaugural festival.
“The FIFA World Cup is a moment that the whole world shares – and that starts with the way we open it,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement. “These ceremonies will unite music, culture and football in a way that reflects both the independence of each nation and the unity that defines this tournament. It is a powerful start to a truly global celebration.”
In a historic first, the World Cup final will also feature a halftime show: Shakira, Madonna and BTS will headline the game on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The event is also intended to raise money for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.