The 2026 FIFA World Cup will open not with one ceremony, but with three.
FIFA has unveiled a star-studded musical lineup for the tournament’s unprecedented three-nation opening, with Shakira and Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy headlining the first ceremony in Mexico City ahead of the cohosts’ match against South Africa.
The Colombian icon and Burna Boy will perform “Dai Dai,” the tournament’s official song, on Thursday at the Estadio Azteca. They will be joined by a formidable Latin American lineup including Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Angeles Azules, Maná, and South African sensation Tyla.
For the first time in World Cup history, the tournament is being cohosted by three nations: Mexico, the United States, and Canada. FIFA has responded by planning a curtain-raiser for each host country’s opening match.
In Toronto on 12th June, Alanis Morissette and crooner Michael Bublé will headline ahead of Canada’s match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Later that same day in Los Angeles, Katy Perry will front the US ceremony before the American team faces Paraguay. She will be joined by LISA, Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema, Brazilian pop artist Anitta, and hip-hop artist Future.
The three ceremonies are being created by Italian producer Marco Balich, who was behind the spectacular opening ceremony for this year’s Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Each show will be held approximately 90 minutes before kickoff, giving fans a full entertainment experience before the football begins.
FIFA has indicated that more artists will be announced for the US and Canadian ceremonies in the coming days.
Shakira’s involvement in the 2026 World Cup does not end with the opening ceremony. She is also among the headliners scheduled to perform at a Super Bowl-style half-time show during the World Cup final, alongside Madonna and the globally renowned boy band BTS.
That performance is expected to be one of the most-watched musical events of the year, broadcast to hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide.
The official tournament song “Dai Dai” is more than just a catchy tune. FIFA has announced that the song aims to raise $100 million in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, linking the joy of the beautiful game to tangible social impact.
The title “Dai Dai” which has become a viral dance challenge on social media has already sparked global participation, with fans posting their own choreography across TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms.
The last time the World Cup was held in the United States, in 1994, Diana Ross performed at the opening ceremony in Chicago and famously missed a penalty kick as part of the show. That moment has since become one of the most memorable and most replayed in World Cup entertainment history.
Thirty-two years later, the 2026 edition promises to raise the bar significantly, with three ceremonies, a continent-spanning format, and some of the biggest names in global music.
Football fans and music lovers alike will have their eyes on Mexico City on Thursday for the first of the three openings. With Shakira and Burna Boy sharing the stage, and a lineup that spans Latin America and Africa, the ceremony is being positioned as a celebration of the sport’s global reach.
Meanwhile, the US and Canadian lineups reflect the diverse musical tastes of their home audiences from Katy Perry’s pop anthems to Alanis Morissette’s rock legacy and Michael Bublé’s crooning standards.
As the world turns its attention to North America, one thing is clear: the 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be as much a musical festival as a football tournament.
