Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy and Colombian music icon Shakira will headline the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City on June 11, Trybal News reports.
The globally acclaimed duo will perform Dai Dai, the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as part of FIFA’s support for the Global Citizen Education Fund initiative.
Their performance will set the tone for football’s biggest tournament, with the opening ceremony scheduled to begin 90 minutes before the tournament’s first match between hosts Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium.
Burna Boy and Shakira are part of a star-studded entertainment lineup that also includes Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná and South African singer Tyla.
The Mexico City event will be the first of three opening ceremonies planned across the tournament’s host nations of Mexico, Canada and the United States.
Beyond the opening ceremony, Nigerian music will enjoy a strong presence throughout the tournament, with Burna Boy among four Nigerian artistes featured on the official 2026 FIFA World Cup album.
The Grammy Award winner is joined by Davido, Rema and Ayra Starr on the project, underlining the growing global influence of Nigerian music.
Davido features on No Place Like Home alongside Major Lazer and Nelly Furtado, while Rema appears on Goals with Lisa and Anitta. Ayra Starr also contributes to the album with Show Me alongside American rapper Latto.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be staged across the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19 and will be the first edition of the competition to feature 48 teams.
With Burna Boy leading Nigeria’s representation on one of the world’s biggest stages, the tournament promises to showcase not only football excellence but also the global reach and cultural impact of Afrobeats.
