Shakira and Burna Boy to Headline World Cup Opening Ceremony in Mexico City
Shakira and Burna Boy will perform the official 2026 World Cup song 'Dai Dai' at the opening ceremony in Mexico City on June 11, headlining a star-studded, largely Mexican lineup before the host nation faces South Africa.
Topline
- Shakira and Burna Boy will perform official song 'Dai Dai' at the opening ceremony.
- The ceremony is on June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
- J Balvin, Tyla, Maná and others round out the lineup.
- The show precedes the opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
Full Report
World Cup DeskThe 2026 World Cup will open in style on **June 11 at Estadio Ciudad de México (Estadio Azteca)**, with **Shakira and Burna Boy** set to headline the opening ceremony by performing the tournament's official song, **"Dai Dai,"** live for the first time.
A Star-Studded Lineup
Alongside the two headliners, the confirmed performers include **J Balvin, Tyla, Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules and Maná**. The show leans heavily on Mexican and Latin talent, promising a celebration of the host city's culture through Indigenous performers, contemporary folkloric acts and the traditional art of papel picado.
Timing and the Opener
The ceremony kicks off roughly 90 minutes before kickoff, beginning at around 11:30 a.m. local time, ahead of **Mexico facing South Africa** in the tournament's first match. Shakira, who landed in Mexico days earlier and called the country "home," returns to a World Cup stage long associated with her music.
Setting the Tone
With 48 teams, 104 matches and three host nations, the ceremony marks the symbolic start of the largest World Cup in history. Organisers hope the spectacle in Mexico City sets a celebratory tone before a 39-day tournament stretching across North America.
Keep Exploring This Story
Team, squad, group, and match pages connected to this update.
Mexico
Group A · Rank #15
South Africa
Group A · Rank #58