World Cup opening ceremony headliner, J Balvin, has described his upcoming performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a major moment not only for his career but for the continued rise of Latino music on the global stage.
Surrounded by rows of costumes in his dressing room before a five-hour concert in the Colombian coastal city of Barranquilla, the reggaeton star reflected on what has already become a landmark year for Latin music after FIFA confirmed him as one of the headline acts for the World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico City on June 11.
Speaking exclusively to CNN ahead of the announcement, Balvin described the opportunity as a defining achievement for Latino artists worldwide.
“We keep piling up each artist to make our movement unstoppable,” the 41-year-old told CNN while wrapping up the final leg of his “Ciudad Primavera” tour across Colombia.
Other stars set to feature at the opening ceremony include Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná and Tyla.
The FIFA appearance marks another milestone in a year of major breakthroughs for Latin music. In February, Bad Bunny became the first Latino artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, while fellow Colombian star Karol G made history by headlining the closing night of Coachella in April.
Balvin, who migrated to the United States at 17 and later built his career in New York City, said the Latino community’s influence in America continues to grow despite doubts surrounding reggaeton’s staying power.
“People thought reggaeton was gonna die 30 years ago… (But) we’re going nowhere, you know? Our numbers don’t lie, and we know what we represent. We know what we can give to the world: our skills, our talent. We embrace our culture more than ever,” he said.
Before becoming one of the world’s most streamed artists, Balvin sold mixtapes in Times Square and worked illegally as a roofer and house painter while chasing his music dreams.
“Obviously, I consider myself a migrant, the way I arrived in the US, but even those who are born there from other backgrounds are still migrants: the US is a country of migrants,” Balvin said.
Despite now owning homes in Manhattan and Medellín, the singer said his identity remains rooted in his culture and experiences.
“My home is here with me,” he said, touching his chest, “because I move all the time… I think to be Latino these days is to be a world citizen: we come from a giant culture, rich in music, food – we have people at NASA, scientists, sports stars, people who are changing the world.”
Balvin explained that his “Ciudad Primavera” tour is also about reconnecting with his roots by performing beyond Colombia’s biggest cities and helping emerging local talents gain exposure.
At his Barranquilla concert, local singer Vaech appeared on stage wearing a sleeveless shirt that read: “José opened the door, it was not luck, it was Balvin.”
The Colombian superstar is also preparing to release his latest album, Omertá, alongside fellow Medellín reggaeton artist Ryan Castro.
Balvin also paid tribute to legendary artists who inspired his journey, including Gilberto Santa Rosa and late Cuban icon Celia Cruz.
“I think that when Gilberto and Celia Cruz, these huge artists who paved the way for us, they were not thinking about paving the way: they were just doing it with so much love and passion, they did us a huge favor,” he said.
“What I’m doing might pave the way for someone else, and that’s the reason why we are so collaborative: we love making songs with each other, and we know together we are stronger and more powerful.”
His influence has also attracted international stars to Colombia, including Ed Sheeran, who joined him on stage in Bogotá last year.
Before taking the stage in Barranquilla, Balvin also shared his hopes for the Colombian national team ahead of the World Cup.
“If we understand we are a team and leave our egos behind, and we think about it as a family, I think that can take us really far,” he said.
