Shakira, Burna Boy, Maná and a cast of global stars took over Mexico City to launch the World Cup.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup announced itself to the world on Thursday, June 11, with an opening ceremony in Mexico City that mixed Latin pop, cumbia, rock, Afrobeats, and Aztec cultural tradition into a spectacle staged at one of soccer’s most storied venues. The ceremony, held at Estadio Azteca ahead of the tournament’s first match between Mexico and South Africa, was the first of three separate opening events FIFA is staging across its three host nations: Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
It is the first World Cup in history to expand to 48 teams, and the decision to give each host country its own opening moment reflected the scale of that ambition.
How the ceremony unfolded
Singer-songwriter Lila Downs opened the ceremony by welcoming the world in both Spanish and English, setting a tone that honored Mexico’s history and Indigenous heritage. The stage centered on a giant golden trophy, and performers dressed in traditional costume filled the pitch as Downs connected the tournament to a broader sense of cultural pride and ancestry.
Belinda and Los Ángeles Azules followed, fusing pop and cumbia in a performance of their collaboration written for the official FIFA World Cup album. The energy shifted again when Maná took the stage and opened with their 1992 classic “Oye Mi Amor,” a moment that drew immediate recognition from the crowd. Lead singer Fher Olvera performed in a long red trench coat as tens of thousands sang along.
J Balvin brought reggaeton to the pitch alongside Colombian rapper Ryan Castro, running through a medley that included his 2018 track “Que Calor” before the two performed their 2026 duet. Balvin closed his set with the Cardi B and Bad Bunny collaboration “I Like It.”
Venezuelan singer-songwriter Danny Ocean followed, performing the official World Cup track “Partidazo” from the tournament’s album, accompanied by dancers from the Ballet Folklórico de México.
Shakira and Burna Boy close the show
The ceremony’s headline moment arrived when Shakira took the stage to perform “Dai Dai,” the official FIFA World Cup 2026 song she recorded with Burna Boy. The Nigerian artist joined her, and the two performed together as the crowd responded with one of the evening’s loudest reactions. The song supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
Shakira has performed at World Cup ceremonies dating back 20 years. She performed at the 2006 closing ceremony in Germany, delivered the official song for the 2010 tournament in South Africa, and returned for the 2014 closing ceremony in Brazil. She will appear again at the World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, alongside Madonna and BTS in the tournament’s first-ever halftime show.
Mexican-American actress and producer Salma Hayek Pinault served as the FIFA World Cup 2026 ambassador for the Mexico City ceremony, officially welcoming fans to the tournament. Legendary mariachi singer Alejandro Fernández performed the Mexican national anthem before kickoff, while South African star Tyla performed South Africa’s anthem.
The tournament’s full opening picture
Two additional ceremonies are scheduled for June 12. Toronto will host Canada’s opening event before Canada faces Bosnia and Herzegovina, featuring a lineup that includes Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez, and actor Will Arnett as ambassador. Los Angeles will stage the United States’ opening ceremony ahead of the American team’s first match against Paraguay, with performances from Katy Perry, Future, Lisa, Anitta, and Rema. Country duo Dan + Shay will perform the US national anthem, and actor Jason Sudeikis will serve as ambassador.
The match and the broader tournament
Mexico and South Africa kicked off Group A play at 3 p.m. Eastern time. South Africa has not competed in a World Cup since hosting the tournament in 2010, and the team was greeted with mariachi upon arriving in Mexico City, a moment that set the tone for what has been a notably warm reception from the host country’s fans.
The 2026 edition marks the first time the United States has hosted the World Cup since 1994. Estadio Azteca, the venue for Thursday’s opener, became the first stadium in history to host matches across three separate World Cup tournaments, having previously done so in 1970 and 1986.
Defending champion Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, is attempting to become the first nation to win consecutive titles since Brazil achieved the feat in 1958 and 1962. France, Spain, Brazil, Portugal, and England are among the other major contenders, while the United States enters the tournament with what many consider its most talented squad in history, led by Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Folarin Balogun.