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Shakira had the biggest moment of the biggest World Cup yet. On Thursday (June 11), the Colombian singer performed the 2026 tournament anthem, “Dai Dai,” with Nigerian star Burna Boy at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, ahead of hosts Mexico’s opener against South Africa. It echoed the 2010 World Cup, when she sang “Waka Waka” before the same matchup, only this time Mexico was the host, not South Africa, Al Jazeera noted.
About 80,000 people watched a roughly 20-minute show, per Qatar’s state news agency QNA, that opened with large-scale folkloric performances of Aztec history. Mexican singer-songwriter Lila Downs welcomed the world in Spanish and English.
People of the world, welcome to Mexico!
Lila Downs, Al Jazeera
The musical run was a Latin pop tour with a few detours. Venezuelan singer Danny Ocean sang “Partidazo,” and Mexican pop star Belinda joined Los Ángeles Azules for “Por Ella.” Maná had the crowd singing along to “Oye Mi Amor,” and J Balvin and Ryan Castro traded hits, including “Una A La Vez,” before Balvin closed with “I Like It,” his collaboration with Cardi B and Bad Bunny.
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Then came the headliners. Shakira nailed the choreography for “Dai Dai” with her dancers before Burna Boy joined her, and the pair finished with a shout of “Dale, allez, let’s go!” World Cup ambassador Salma Hayek Pinault welcomed fans next and said, in Spanish: “In this stadium, along with Canada and the United States, we welcome the 48 flags.”
The anthems
Andrea Bocelli and EJAE performed “DNA,” the official FIFA World Cup anthem, and Tyla sang South Africa’s national anthem as the team’s players and fans in the crowd placed their hands over their hearts. Grammy winner Alejandro Fernández followed with the Mexican anthem, and clouds of red and green smoke signaled the start. QNA reported that the tournament will be the biggest in history, with 48 teams and 104 matches over 40 days.
Why it matters
The World Cup opening ceremony is a moment where a country chooses what it wants the world to hear. Mexico picked Mexican heritage and Latin pop, and handed the headline slot to the Colombian star who has been tied to the tournament’s sound since 2010. The day wasn’t trouble-free: Al Jazeera reported that striking teachers were protesting in Mexico City, with metal barriers keeping people away from the Zócalo fan zone.
The music story has more to come. The tournament’s first-ever halftime show comes at the final on July 19, where Shakira and Burna Boy return.
Sources
Added to the High Grailed archive on October 12, 2026.
