Burna Boy and Shakira to Perform at 2026 World Cup Opening in Mexico

Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy will perform at the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He will join Colombian music star Shakira to sing the tournament’s official anthem before the opening match in Mexico City.

The two will perform Dai Dai, the official song of the tournament, at the famous Estadio Azteca on 11 June. This will be just before the host nation Mexico plays against South Africa in the first match of the World Cup.

FIFA said on Thursday that the anthem is about how football brings people together from different cultures, languages, and places.

FIFA described the song as reflecting the energy, passion, and spirit of the FIFA World Cup. They added that Burna Boy and Shakira are “two of the world’s most influential musical voices.”

Dai Dai comes from an Italian phrase meaning “let’s go” or “come on.” It is expected to be one of the key songs during the month-long football festival.

Dai Dai 🎶 @shakira and @burnaboy will join a star-studded lineup on the global stage at the #FIFAWorldCup opening ceremony in Mexico City!

, FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 4, 2026

The opening ceremony will also include performances from Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin and South African singer Tyla. This shows the tournament’s diverse culture.

For Burna Boy, this performance is another big step in his career. He has become one of Africa’s most recognizable music stars. The Grammy Award winner will now add a FIFA World Cup opening ceremony to his already impressive list of international achievements.

The Mexico City event is one of three big opening celebrations planned across the tournament’s host countries. In Canada, music legends Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette will lead celebrations before Canada’s first match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto on 12 June.

In the United States, pop star Katy Perry and rapper Future are set to perform before the USA takes on Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Shakira’s presence continues her long connection with the World Cup. She is known for World Cup hits like Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) and La La La, both of which became global favorites.

She will also return for the World Cup final on 19 July. There, she will co-headline the tournament’s first Super Bowl-style halftime show with Madonna and BTS. This event is expected to be a major highlight of the FIFA World Cup.