Inside the 2026 FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony: Shakira, Burna Boy, and a Historic Night in Mexico City

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off in spectacular and chaotic fashion on June 11, as a star-studded opening ceremony at Mexico City's iconic Estadio Azteca gave way to a historic—and extremely fiery—opening match. The night blended music, charity, footballing legend, and a disciplinary record that no one saw coming.

Shakira and Burna Boy Headline a Celebration of Mexican Culture

The ceremony began 90 minutes before kickoff, transforming the pitch into a vibrant showcase of Mexican heritage through indigenous performances and contemporary folkloric acts . However, the night's undisputed musical headliners were Colombian superstar Shakira and Nigerian Afrobeats icon Burna Boy .

The pair performed the tournament's official song, "Dai Dai," live on the World Cup stage for the first time, marking Shakira's historic return as the first artist with multiple official World Cup songs in her repertoire .

The Full Mexico City Performer Lineup

FIFA built a massive lineup around Latin American and Mexican artists, and notably included Tyla to honor the visiting South African team . The complete list of performers who took the stage in Mexico City included:

• Shakira (Headliner)
• Burna Boy (Headliner)
• Alejandro Fernández (Performed the Mexican national anthem)
• Tyla (Also performed the South African national anthem)
• J Balvin
• Belinda
• Danny Ocean
• Lila Downs
• Los Ángeles Azules
• Maná

Actress and producer Salma Hayek Pinault also appeared as a FIFA Ambassador during the event .

The Anthem "Dai Dai" and Its Charitable Mission

Released on streaming platforms in May 2026, "Dai Dai" is more than just a song; it is the musical centerpiece of a major charitable campaign . Both Shakira and Burna Boy have pledged to donate all of their royalties from the track to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund .

The initiative aims to raise $100 million by the end of the tournament to expand access to quality education and football opportunities for children worldwide . Sony Music Latin has also agreed to match the first $250,000 generated by the song .

Some reports also identified English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran as another beneficiary of the broader Global Citizen initiative connected to the tournament's halftime show .

A Stage Like No Other: The Legacy of Estadio Azteca

The choice of venue for the opening ceremony was as significant as the performers. On June 11, 2026, Estadio Azteca (branded as Mexico City Stadium during the tournament) became the first stadium in history to host the opening match of a men's FIFA World Cup three times (1970, 1986, and 2026). No other venue had even managed two openers prior to this .

The stadium is sacred ground in football history. In 1970, it was where Pelé lifted his third and final World Cup trophy with Brazil . In 1986, it was the stage for Diego Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" goal and his sublime "Goal of the Century" against England .

More Red Cards Than Goals: Mexico vs. South Africa Match Recap

Following the ceremony, co-hosts Mexico secured a 2-0 victory over South Africa in front of a roaring crowd of over 80,000 fans, but the match will be remembered for its unprecedented discipline record .

Match Summary:

Detail	Info
Final Score	Mexico 2–0 South Africa
First Goal	Julián Quiñones (9') — The first goal of the 2026 tournament
Second Goal	Raúl Jiménez (67'), a bullet header
Red Cards	3 total: Sphephelo Sithole (South Africa, 49'), Themba Zwane (South Africa, 84'), César Montes (Mexico, 90+2')

For the first time in World Cup history, an opening match produced more red cards than goals. It was also the first opener to see a team reduced to nine men, with South Africa's two dismissals making a difficult night impossible to salvage .

The Largest World Cup Ever

This dramatic opening night was the first page in the largest FIFA World Cup ever staged. The 2026 tournament is the first to feature 48 teams, expanded from the previous 32, and is co-hosted by three nations: Mexico, Canada, and the United States . Matches are being played across 16 venues in the three host countries, with each nation holding its own distinct opening ceremony .

Canada's ceremony kicked off 24 hours after Mexico's, headlined by Alessia Cara and Michael Bublé . The U.S. ceremony lineup was set to feature a wide range of global stars, with FIFA listing Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema, and Tyla among the expected performers, though reports varied on the final confirmed list .