FIFA World Cup 2026: how Shakira opened the tournament

A spectacular ceremony
The 23rd FIFA World Cup 2026 officially kicked off recently. The opening ceremony took place at the legendary Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, bringing together thousands of fans in the stands and millions of viewers watching around the world.
The biggest star of the ceremony was Colombian singer Shakira. Together with Nigerian artist Burna Boy, she performed the tournament’s official anthem – «Dai Dai», a song that has already broken YouTube viewing records and become the musical symbol of the competition.
For the 49-year-old singer, the performance was particularly significant. Shakira has now become the leading musical star of a FIFA World Cup for the fourth time, setting a record among all performers.
The vibrant show featured spectacular lighting effects, large-scale dance performances and the atmosphere of a true celebration. Following the ceremony, the national teams of Mexico and South Africa took to the pitch to begin the football competition.
This year’s World Cup will also be the largest in the tournament’s history. For the first time, 48 national teams will compete for the trophy, and fans can look forward to a total of 104 matches.







