Colombian pop star Shakira opened the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a performance at the Mexico City Stadium ahead of the tournament's kick-off fixture between El Tri and Bafana Bafana of South Africa, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 49-year-old performed “Dai Dai,” the official anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside Nigerian afrobeats artist Burna Boy. The original song was officially released a month ago.
The song translates to ‘Come on, Come on' in English, and was written by Shakira and Burna Boy together with Benny Adam, Jon Bellion, Ed Sheeran and Alexander Castillo, who produced the song with Gerard Piqué's ex-girlfriend.
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The song was written in five languages: English, Spanish, Italian, French and Japanese
Shakira and Burna Boy perform Dai Dai in FIFA World Cup opener
Shakira and the choreographers put up a performance in white fits, layered with yellow hand and waistbands, a reminder of her Colombian heritage. Burna Boy, meanwhile, was clothed in jeans. You can watch the performance here.
Burna Boy & Shakira performing the Greatest World Cup song “Dai Dai” live in Mexico 🇲🇽 at the opening ceremony of the fifa World Cup 🏆 pic.twitter.com/LqZ0POQjrO
— ThatOjoBoy (@ThatOjoBoy) June 11, 2026
Andrea Bocelli and Ejae, ahead of the opening match, also performed ‘DNA'. David Guetta and Megan Thee Stallion featured on the song, but were not in attendance at the Mexico City Stadium.
Tyla also led the South African team in singing their national anthem, while Elias Mejia Avante, Fher Olvera and Danny Ocean also performed during the Opening Ceremony.
Toronto will also host an opening ceremony tomorrow, ahead of Canada's first-ever home World Cup match, with a “cultural mosaic” theme.
Los Angeles will complete the trio of the ceremonies later tomorrow, before the United States play against Paraguay.
