Shakira and Burna Boy brought the fire to the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony with a vivacious performance of this year’s official song “Dai Dai.”
The Colombian superstar came out first at the Estadio Ciudad de México (Estadio Azteca), wearing a bright yellow mesh bodysuit and matching gloves, and delivered sharp dance moves as she sang her newest World Cup song. Over the years, Shakira has become synonymous with the tournament’s official soundtrack, especially after the success of her 2010 global smash hit “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).”
Burna Boy joined the singer halfway through the track and sported a matching denim set. The pair danced along to their Afrobeats-inspired track, performing atop an enormous turquoise-and-yellow flag that covered the field and read: “We are ready.”
Before the pair delivered their electric performance of “Dai Dai,” the international tournament’s opening ceremony kicked off with a spectacular show featuring Maná, J Balvin, Los Ángeles Azules, Belinda, and Danny Ocean. All of the artists that made an appearance in Mexico City are featured on the FIFA 2026 World Cup official album, with the exception of Maná.
The opening ceremony show kicked off with a ton of Mexican pride as Maná rocked out to their 1992 hit “Oye Mi Amor.” They were followed by Ocean ,who performed his World Cup song “Partidazo,” before cumbia group Los Ángeles Azules and Belinda delivered their soundtrack cut “Por Ella.” It became a global performance when Colombian superstar J Balvin hit the field to sing a medley of hits. He turned it into a Colombian party when he brought out Ryan Castro to sing their new track “Una a la Vez” before diving into 2018 hit “I Like It.”
The star-studded performance wrapped with Shakira and Burna Boy, who closed out the show with green, white, and red fireworks to match the colors of Mexico’s flag.
There’s more performances in store during the sporting matches. Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, Lisa, and Rema will take center stage on Friday in Los Angeles at the opening ceremony of the first 2026 World Cup game in the United States. And in Toronto, Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, and Alessia Cara are among the artists performing at the Canadian kickoff celebration.
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“The FIFA World Cup is a moment the world shares, and that begins with how we open it,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement. “These ceremonies will bring together music, culture and football in a way that reflects both the individuality of each nation and the unity that defines this tournament. It is a powerful way to begin a truly global celebration.”
In a historic first, there will also be a halftime show at the World Cup final, with Shakira, Madonna, and BTS headlining the July 19 match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The event will also raise money for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
