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Shakira and Burna Boy are set to headline the first opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City. FIFA has announced that separate opening events will also take place in Canada and the United States, each featuring globally acclaimed music artists. The performances will officially launch the 2026 World Cup and introduce the tournament’s official anthem, “Dai Dai.”

The Colombian superstar Shakira was recently seen speaking at a panel on the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup halftime show during the Global Citizen NOW summit held on May 14, 2026, in New York. Her participation in the opening ceremonies adds to her longstanding connection with FIFA events, having performed previously in major tournaments.

Highlights from the World Cup Opening Ceremonies

The key details of the opening celebrations include:

• Shakira and Burna Boy will take centre stage in Mexico City.
• The duo will perform “Dai Dai,” the official World Cup song.
• Mexico will face South Africa in the tournament’s opening match.
• FIFA will host three separate opening ceremonies across the host nations.
• Additional ceremonies are planned for Canada and the United States.
• Alanis Morissette and Michael Bublé will headline the Toronto show.
• Katy Perry, LISA, Rema, Anitta, and Future will perform in Los Angeles.
• Renowned Italian producer Marco Balich is managing production for all three events.
• Each event will begin about 90 minutes prior to kickoff.
• The official song, “Dai Dai,” will also support a global education fundraising campaign.

FIFA has unveiled an ambitious entertainment programme for the 2026 tournament, with Shakira and Burna Boy leading the performances for the Mexico City ceremony. Their appearance will precede the opening match between Mexico and South Africa on Thursday, including a live rendition of “Dai Dai.”

Differing from previous editions that featured a single opening celebration, FIFA has chosen to organise three distinct ceremonies to reflect the shared hosting between Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

The Mexico City event will feature a vibrant mix of Latin American and international artists. FIFA confirmed performances by Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná, and Tyla. Organisers added that more performers may still be revealed closer to the event date.

This grand celebration marks the start of what is expected to be one of the most widely viewed sporting spectacles in history, with matches taking place throughout North America.

Canada and the United States Plan Their Own Ceremonies

FIFA’s strategy for the opening festivities extends to both Canada and the United States. Toronto will host Canada’s event on June 12, ahead of the match between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Canadian music legends Alanis Morissette and Michael Bublé are set to headline the show.

Later that day, Los Angeles will stage the U.S. opening ceremony before the United States faces Paraguay. The star-studded American performance lineup includes Katy Perry, K-pop icon LISA, Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema, Brazilian singer Anitta, and rapper Future.

These three ceremonies are designed to highlight the cultural diversity of each host nation while giving each event a distinctive identity within the global tournament.

Marco Balich to Lead Production

FIFA has appointed acclaimed Italian producer Marco Balich to direct all three opening events. Balich is renowned for producing large-scale global spectacles, including the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics held earlier this year.

According to FIFA, each ceremony will start around 90 minutes before the first whistle, offering fans a major entertainment spectacle before the football action begins. The events will blend live music, elaborate visual effects, cultural storytelling, and tributes to the host nations.

World Cup Final to Feature Halftime Show

The entertainment extravaganza will continue throughout the tournament, culminating in a Super Bowl-style halftime show during the World Cup final. Shakira is scheduled to return as one of the headline performers, joined by pop icon Madonna and global K-pop phenomenon BTS.

The move underscores FIFA’s growing focus on combining football with entertainment, echoing successful formats from other major global sporting events.

Reflecting on Past World Cup Openings

When the World Cup was last held in the United States in 1994, singer Diana Ross created one of the most memorable moments in tournament history with her symbolic penalty kick during the opening ceremony in Chicago — an effort that famously missed the target but remains part of World Cup folklore.

This year’s ceremonies aim to deliver equally iconic moments, reaching an even larger international audience through digital platforms and global broadcasts.

Official Song Supports Global Education

Beyond serving as the tournament’s anthem, “Dai Dai” also carries a humanitarian mission. FIFA announced that proceeds from the song will contribute towards raising $100 million for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aimed at expanding access to education for children and youth worldwide.

By linking its entertainment programme with global philanthropic causes, FIFA hopes to build a lasting social impact that extends far beyond the tournament itself.

As anticipation builds for the kickoff, the union of world-class football and star-studded performances promises to make the 2026 FIFA World Cup one of the most celebrated sporting events ever held.