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Shakira, Mana, and Salma Hayek Light Up 2026 World Cup Opening Ceremony in Mexico City
The 2026 FIFA World Cup opened with a dazzling ceremony at Estadio Azteca that fused music, culture, and national pride. After a parade of flags from all 48 participating nations and a welcome speech by Mexican actress and World Cup ambassador Salma Hayek, the event unfolded into a series of performances that showcased Mexico’s diverse heritage.
Shakira kicked off the show with the tournament’s official song, “Dai Dai,” in collaboration with Nigerian artist Burna Boy. In an Associated Press interview, the Colombian singer explained that a World Cup anthem must “have rhythm…make people want to dance…and be an anthem that people can sing along to in unison.” Her partnership with Burna Boy follows the global impact of her 2010 hit “Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)” and signals her intention to repeat that success.
Mexican singer‑songwriter Lila Downs delivered a multilingual welcome in Spanish, English, Mixtec and Nahuatl, inviting the crowd with the words, “People of the world, welcome to Mexico.” She added, “Mexico welcomes you with smiles from our heart; we are a nation of diversity, heritage and pride in ancestral lands where movement and ritual spirit endure.” Down’s background—born in Oaxaca to a Mixtec mother and an American father of Scottish descent—underscored the cultural blend the ceremony celebrated.
Rock‑pop band Maná electrified the stadium with “Oye Mi Amor,” surrounded by pre‑Hispanic dancers. Founded in 1986, the group has sold more than 40 million records worldwide. After their performance, Maná announced a Latin‑America tour that will include stops in Bogotá, Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires and Mexico City.
Other acts added to the mix. Los Ángeles Azules performed “Por Ella” with pop star Belinda, while Colombian reggaetón star J Balvin staged a dynamic set that began with “Que Calor,” followed by a duet with Ryan Castro on “Una A La Vez,” and finished with his 2018 hit “I Like It.” Danny Ocean performed “Partidazo,” a collaboration on FIFA’s official album, surrounded by dancers wearing modernized traditional Jalisco attire.
The ceremony also featured Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and South Korean artist EJAE performing “DNA,” the tournament’s official anthem, alongside French DJ and producer David Guetta. Bocelli had recently performed for 130 000 fans at Mexico City’s Zócalo in April.
National anthems were presented by Tyla for South Africa and Alejandro Fernandez for Mexico. Tyla, who won the first Grammy for best African music performance in 2024, performed the South African anthem, while Fernandez, the son of late Mexican legend Vicente Fernandez, sang “Mi México Lindo.”
The opening ceremony concluded with a brief speech by Salma Hayek, who said in Spanish, “Mexicans are very honored that this is where the first match of this wonderful soccer tradition that unites us all begins. Long live Mexico and long live soccer!” Hayek, appointed as an ambassador for the 2026 World Cup, highlighted the event’s significance for the host nation.
Mexico’s first match of the tournament, a 2‑0 victory over South Africa, followed the ceremony. The 48‑team tournament is co‑hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada, and will feature a historic halftime show on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Shakira will perform alongside Madonna and BTS.
The 2026 opening ceremony showcased the breadth of Mexican culture—from indigenous languages to contemporary pop—and set the tone for a World Cup that promises to unite fans across the Americas and beyond.
Shakira kicked off the show with the tournament’s official song, “Dai Dai,” in collaboration with Nigerian artist Burna Boy. In an Associated Press interview, the Colombian singer explained that a World Cup anthem must “have rhythm…make people want to dance…and be an anthem that people can sing along to in unison.” Her partnership with Burna Boy follows the global impact of her 2010 hit “Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)” and signals her intention to repeat that success.
Mexican singer‑songwriter Lila Downs delivered a multilingual welcome in Spanish, English, Mixtec and Nahuatl, inviting the crowd with the words, “People of the world, welcome to Mexico.” She added, “Mexico welcomes you with smiles from our heart; we are a nation of diversity, heritage and pride in ancestral lands where movement and ritual spirit endure.” Down’s background—born in Oaxaca to a Mixtec mother and an American father of Scottish descent—underscored the cultural blend the ceremony celebrated.
Rock‑pop band Maná electrified the stadium with “Oye Mi Amor,” surrounded by pre‑Hispanic dancers. Founded in 1986, the group has sold more than 40 million records worldwide. After their performance, Maná announced a Latin‑America tour that will include stops in Bogotá, Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires and Mexico City.
Other acts added to the mix. Los Ángeles Azules performed “Por Ella” with pop star Belinda, while Colombian reggaetón star J Balvin staged a dynamic set that began with “Que Calor,” followed by a duet with Ryan Castro on “Una A La Vez,” and finished with his 2018 hit “I Like It.” Danny Ocean performed “Partidazo,” a collaboration on FIFA’s official album, surrounded by dancers wearing modernized traditional Jalisco attire.
The ceremony also featured Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and South Korean artist EJAE performing “DNA,” the tournament’s official anthem, alongside French DJ and producer David Guetta. Bocelli had recently performed for 130 000 fans at Mexico City’s Zócalo in April.
National anthems were presented by Tyla for South Africa and Alejandro Fernandez for Mexico. Tyla, who won the first Grammy for best African music performance in 2024, performed the South African anthem, while Fernandez, the son of late Mexican legend Vicente Fernandez, sang “Mi México Lindo.”
The opening ceremony concluded with a brief speech by Salma Hayek, who said in Spanish, “Mexicans are very honored that this is where the first match of this wonderful soccer tradition that unites us all begins. Long live Mexico and long live soccer!” Hayek, appointed as an ambassador for the 2026 World Cup, highlighted the event’s significance for the host nation.
Mexico’s first match of the tournament, a 2‑0 victory over South Africa, followed the ceremony. The 48‑team tournament is co‑hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada, and will feature a historic halftime show on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Shakira will perform alongside Madonna and BTS.
The 2026 opening ceremony showcased the breadth of Mexican culture—from indigenous languages to contemporary pop—and set the tone for a World Cup that promises to unite fans across the Americas and beyond.