Shakira to Perform at 2026 FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony in Mexico City

Shakira has been officially confirmed to perform at the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The global superstar will headline the inaugural ceremony, marking a return to one of the world’s most-watched sporting events.

The performance is scheduled to take place in Mexico City, where the opening match of the tournament will be held. This return to the Mexican capital coincides with the 2026 tournament’s expanded format, which sees the competition hosted across three North American nations: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Reporting from El Universal indicates that Shakira will not be the sole performer for the ceremony. She is slated to share the stage with Nigerian singer Burna Boy, signaling a cross-continental musical collaboration that blends Latin pop with Afrobeat influences for the global audience.

According to ESPN México, Shakira is expected to perform the song Dai Dai during the opening festivities. The selection of this track highlights a specific direction for the ceremony’s musical narrative as the tournament kicks off in Mexico City.

A Career Milestone and New Beginnings

The announcement comes as Shakira celebrates 30 years in the music industry. In a profile with People en Español, the artist reflected on her longevity and the evolution of her career, framing this World Cup appearance as part of a broader period of professional renewal.

Reflecting on her current state of mind and her legacy within the industry, Shakira expressed a sense of artistic rebirth.

I feel like I’m just starting

People en Español

This perspective underscores a transition in her career, moving from the established global icon status she has held for three decades into a phase of new creative experimentation.

The Legacy of Shakira and the World Cup

Shakira’s involvement in the 2026 World Cup continues a long-standing relationship between the artist and FIFA’s premier tournament. She has previously become synonymous with the event’s musical identity through several high-profile contributions.

Her history with the tournament includes:

• The 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where she performed Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), which remains one of the most successful World Cup songs in history.
• The 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where she performed La La La (Brazil 2014) during the closing ceremony.

By returning for the 2026 opening match, Shakira solidifies her position as one of the few artists to maintain a recurring presence at the tournament across different decades and hosting continents.

Strategic Significance of the Mexico City Venue

The decision to hold the opening match and the accompanying ceremony in Mexico City is a significant logistical and cultural choice for FIFA. Mexico is one of the few nations to have hosted the tournament on multiple occasions, and the city’s infrastructure provides a massive platform for the inaugural event.

For Shakira, performing in Mexico City serves as a homecoming of sorts to a region that has remained a core part of her fan base throughout her 30-year career. The pairing with Burna Boy further emphasizes the tournament’s goal of representing a diverse, global community through its cultural programming.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams, increasing the scale of the event and the pressure on the opening ceremony to set a tone of inclusivity and international unity. The collaboration between a Colombian-Lebanese icon and a Nigerian powerhouse is designed to mirror this expanded global reach.

Further details regarding the full setlist and the specific timing of the opening ceremony are expected to be released as the tournament date approaches.