Colombian pop superstar Shakira and Nigerian Afrobeats titan Burna Boy will perform Dai Dai, the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, at the tournament’s opening ceremony in Mexico City.
FIFA confirmed the announcement on Friday, setting the stage for what is shaping up to be a truly historic moment in sporting and musical history.
The ceremony will begin approximately 90 minutes before hosts Mexico face South Africa on June 11 at the iconic Estadio Azteca, a venue set to make history as the first stadium to host World Cup opening matches across multiple tournaments.
Released on May 14, “Dai Dai” blends Shakira’s signature Latin pop sound with Burna Boy’s globally dominant Afrobeats style. The title derives from an Italian expression meaning “let’s go” or “come on,” a fitting rallying cry for a tournament expected to unite fans from every corner of the globe.
The nearly four-minute track is a catchy fusion powered by Afrobeats, dance-pop, world beats, and reggaetón. Lyrically, it stays true to the spirit of football, delivering a motivational message to athletes and fans alike.
The pair shout out legends of the sport, including Maradona, Maldini, Cristiano Ronaldo, Beckham, and Messi, as well as participating nations including Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, the United States, and the Netherlands.
FIFA was unambiguous about its ambitions for the track. “We wanted a song that captures the energy, passion, and global spirit of the FIFA World Cup,” the governing body said in a statement. “Shakira and Burna Boy bring together two of the world’s most influential musical voices.”
The performance also carries a philanthropic dimension. “Dai Dai” is the official song in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise USD 100 million by the end of the tournament to provide children around the world with access to quality education and football opportunities.
The opening ceremony lineup reflects the multicultural identity of the 2026 tournament and the diversity of its host nations. Joining Shakira and Burna Boy on stage will be an array of global and Latin American talent: Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin, South African singer-songwriter Tyla, Mexican rock legends Maná, Alejandro Fernández, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Belinda, and Venezuelan artist Danny Ocean.
The Mexico City opener is, however, only the first act in a trilogy of opening spectacles spread across the tournament’s three co-host nations.
In Canada, Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette will headline celebrations ahead of Canada’s opening match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto on June 12. Meanwhile, American pop star Katy Perry and rapper Future will perform before the United States takes on Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
For Shakira, the Estadio Azteca performance represents far more than a one-off engagement; it is the latest chapter in a remarkable two-decade relationship with football’s biggest stage.
Dai Dai marks the Colombian star’s fourth song associated with a World Cup, coming 16 years after she made a global splash with Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) at the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
Shakira is also set to co-headline the halftime show at the World Cup final alongside Madonna and K-pop group BTS, a landmark event billed as the tournament’s first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show, scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and concludes July 19 at what has been renamed New York New Jersey Stadium for the occasion.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be as much a global music event as a sporting one.
At its heart is “Dai Dai,” a cross-continental anthem uniting Shakira’s Latin pop with Burna Boy’s Afrobeats, which will debut live at Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca on June 11.
With star-studded opening ceremonies planned across all three host nations and a Super Bowl-style halftime final featuring Shakira, Madonna, and BTS, FIFA has made one thing unmistakably clear: this tournament is built to be a once-in-a-generation celebration of football, music, and global unity.
