Shakira and Burna Boy Kick Off 2026 FIFA World Cup with Dai Dai at Estadio Azteca

The 2026 FIFA World Cup opened Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca with a dazzling ceremony that blended music, culture and sport. Colombian icon Shakira and Nigerian superstar Burna Boy performed the tournament’s official anthem, “Dai Dai (We’re Ready!)”, a track released on May 15 that serves as the World Cup 2026™ song and a contribution to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.

Estadio Azteca, with a capacity of 87,523 and perched 2,200 m (7,200 ft) above sea level, has long been a hallowed ground for football. It hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals and, for the first time in a decade, welcomed the opening match of the 2026 edition between Mexico and South Africa. The venue’s storied past and its status as the only stadium to have hosted three World Cup finals added gravitas to the proceedings.

The opening ceremony was the first of three celebrations that would later take place in Toronto and Los Angeles. In addition to Shakira and Burna Boy, the program featured a lineup of Latin, African and American artists: Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná and Tyla. A brief cameo by Labubus and a large trophy on stage—briefly contested by the performers—created a memorable visual centerpiece.

Shakira’s presence at the World Cup is not new. She sang “Waka Waka” for the 2010 tournament and “La La” in 2022, making her the first artist to perform at three official World Cup events. Her return in 2026 underscores FIFA’s tradition of pairing global music stars with the sport’s biggest stage.

The ceremony was broadcast worldwide, marking the launch of the 48‑team tournament that will run until July 19, 2026. This edition is historic for several reasons: it is the first World Cup hosted by three nations—Mexico, the United States and Canada—and the first to expand from 32 to 48 teams. The official album, released on June 5, 2026, accompanies the event’s musical programming and features tracks from a range of artists.

The opening match, a contest between Mexico and South Africa, set the tone for a competition that will unfold across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The final will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, closing the tournament.

Beyond the spectacle, the ceremony highlighted FIFA’s commitment to using music and entertainment to promote its Global Citizen Education Fund, reinforcing the World Cup’s role as a platform for cultural exchange and social impact.

The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 national teams, including debutants Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan. Defending champions Argentina will aim for a third title, while the expanded field promises fresh narratives and wider representation.

With its blend of record‑breaking scale, geographic diversity and cultural celebration, the 2026 World Cup sets a new benchmark for global sports entertainment. The tournament will continue to unfold over the next six weeks, offering fans a week‑long showcase of football’s best.