The Colombian pop superstar, Shakira and the Nigerian Afrobeats star, Burna Boy headlined a dazzling FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony at the iconic Estadio Azteca, delivering a spectacular performance that set the tone for a vibrant start to football’s first-ever 48-team tournament.
The spectacle unfolded in front of more than 80,000 fans, as a 90-minute show combined football, music, and Mexican cultural heritage in a seamless celebration.
The ceremony also paid tribute to the diversity of the host nation while embracing the global nature of the expanded World Cup format.
A powerful opening sequence showcased Mexico’s cultural richness and the unifying spirit of football, highlighting how the game continues to bridge nations and communities across the world.
The biggest highlight came when Colombian pop superstar Shakira joined forces with Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy to perform their joint tournament anthem “Dai Dai,” a song that has already gained massive traction online.
The star-studded lineup also featured performances from Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin, South African singer Tyla, and Venezuelan artist Danny Ocean, alongside Mexican music legends including Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Lila Downs, Maná, and Los Ángeles Azules, who brought strong local flavour and energy to the global stage.
With the ceremony concluded, attention now turns to the tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa, a rematch of their 2010 encounter that ended 1-1 — as the World Cup action officially gets underway.
