The 2026 FIFA World Cup will open with a series of concerts across three countries, with Colombian pop star Shakira headlining the first ceremony in Mexico City on June 11.
According to a report by BBC Sport, Shakira will perform Dai Dai, her official song for the tournament, alongside Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy at Estadio Azteca. Dai Dai is an Italian phrase meaning "let's go" or "come on." The performance comes before Mexico and South Africa play the first of the tournament's 104 games, set to kick off at 20:00 BST. Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin and South African singer-songwriter Tyla will also perform at the Mexico City show.
The following day, June 12, two more ceremonies are scheduled in Canada and the United States. Canadian singer-songwriters Michael Buble and Alanis Morissette will headline the ceremony at BMO Field in Toronto, before Canada takes on Bosnia and Herzegovina at 20:00 BST. In Los Angeles, pop star Katy Perry and rapper Future will perform at SoFi Stadium ahead of the United States facing Paraguay, with that match starting at 02:00 BST on June 13.
Each of the three host nations, the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will hold an opening ceremony before the first match played on their soil.
Shakira's involvement does not end with the opening. She is also set to co-headline the World Cup final's half-time show on July 19, alongside Madonna and K-pop boyband BTS. The final is being billed as a Super Bowl-style entertainment event, separate from the football itself.
The tournament runs across all three host nations and features 104 matches total.
