Shakira and Burna Boy will headline the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City, performing the tournament's official song, Dai Dai, ahead of the first match between co-host Mexico and South Africa, according to Al Jazeera.
FIFA has planned opening ceremonies for each of the three host nations. The lineup for the Mexico event also includes Alejandro Fernandez, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Angeles Azules, Mana and Tyla. The organization said more artists would be announced for ceremonies in the United States and Canada.
On June 12, Alanis Morissette and Michael Buble will open Canada's first game at home, headlining in Toronto ahead of Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina. Later that same day, Katy Perry will front the U.S. opening in Los Angeles, joined by global pop star LISA, Nigerian Afrobeats artist Rema, Brazilian pop artist Anitta and hip-hop artist Future, ahead of the U.S. match against Paraguay.
The trio of opening shows is being produced by Italian producer Marco Balich, who was behind the opening ceremony for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Each show is scheduled to begin about 90 minutes before kickoff.
Shakira is also among the headliners set to perform at a Super Bowl-style halftime show for the World Cup final, alongside Madonna and boy band BTS.
The official tournament song, Dai Dai, is tied to a fundraising effort aimed at raising $100 million in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
The last time the World Cup was held in the United States was 1994, when Diana Ross performed at the opening ceremony in Chicago and famously missed a penalty kick as part of the show.
