Shakira and Burna Boy confirmed as the headline performers for the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Shakira and Burna Boy have been confirmed as the headline performers for the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the global music stars set to unveil the tournament’s official anthem ahead of the opening match in Mexico City, Sport360NG reports. 

The Colombian pop icon and Nigerian Afrobeats sensation will perform Dai Dai at the historic Estadio Azteca on June 11 before hosts Mexico take on South Africa in the tournament curtain-raiser.

FIFA Unveils Official World Cup Anthem

FIFA announced that Dai Dai has been chosen as the official song of the 2026 World Cup, describing it as a track that reflects football’s unique ability to bring people together across different nations and cultures.

The song’s title comes from an Italian expression commonly used to encourage or motivate, loosely translating to “come on” or “let’s go.” Organisers expect it to play a central role throughout the competition and become one of the defining sounds of the tournament.

According to FIFA, the collaboration between Shakira and Burna Boy was selected to embody the excitement, diversity and worldwide appeal of football’s biggest event.

Star-Studded Line-Up Across Host Nations

The opening ceremony in Mexico will feature more than just the tournament’s official anthem. Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin and South African singer Tyla have also been included in the entertainment programme for the show.

Beyond Mexico, FIFA has planned additional opening celebrations in the tournament’s other host countries.

In Canada, renowned Canadian artists Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette are scheduled to perform before Canada’s opening fixture against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto on June 12.

Meanwhile, the United States will host its own pre-match spectacle, with pop superstar Katy Perry and rapper Future set to entertain fans before the Americans face Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Shakira Continues World Cup Legacy

The upcoming performance will mark another chapter in Shakira’s long-standing connection with the FIFA World Cup.

The Grammy-winning singer has become synonymous with the competition after delivering some of its most memorable anthems, including Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) for the 2010 World Cup and La La La for the 2014 edition.

Her involvement in the tournament will not end with the opening ceremony. Shakira is also expected to feature prominently at the World Cup final on July 19.

She will co-headline FIFA’s first-ever Super Bowl-inspired halftime show alongside global pop legend Madonna and South Korean music group BTS, adding further star power to what promises to be one of the most ambitious World Cup entertainment programmes in history.