Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy and Colombian pop superstar Shakira stole the spotlight at the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony, delivering a spectacular performance that brought the packed Estadio Azteca to life on Thursday.
- +Burna Boy, Shakira light up FIFA 2026 World Cup opening ceremony
The musical extravaganza took place in Mexico City ahead of the tournament’s opening match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa, marking the start of the biggest FIFA World Cup in history.
The musical extravaganza took place in Mexico City ahead of the tournament’s opening match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa, marking the start of the biggest FIFA World Cup in history.
Shakira and Burna Boy thrilled more than 80,000 spectators with a high-energy rendition of “Dai Dai,” the official song of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The Colombian singer opened her set following a performance by J Balvin, captivating the crowd with her trademark dance moves before launching into the tournament anthem. Moments later, Burna Boy emerged on stage to thunderous applause, joining Shakira for a memorable collaboration that had fans singing and dancing throughout the stadium.
The performance was one of the standout moments of a colourful opening ceremony that blended music, culture and football on a grand scale.
Adding to the spectacle, dancers swirled around a giant replica of the FIFA World Cup trophy while fireworks illuminated the night sky above the historic stadium. Estadio Azteca, which previously hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals, has undergone extensive renovations ahead of the tournament.
“Dai Dai” serves as the official anthem of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and also supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aimed at expanding access to quality education around the world.
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin were among the other headline performers who entertained fans before kick-off as anticipation reached fever pitch.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada and features an expanded 48-team format for the first time. A total of 104 matches will be played across the three host nations, with the final scheduled for July 19 in New Jersey.
While football took centre stage moments later, it was Burna Boy and Shakira’s electrifying performance that provided the perfect soundtrack to the beginning of another historic World Cup.
