She made the world dance in 2010. She made us feel the rhythm in 2006 and 2014. Now, Shakira is about to make history again — and this time, she's performing at the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony in Mexico City, with a brand-new anthem that's already taking the world by storm.
If there's one artist who truly owns the World Cup stage, it's Shakira. The Colombian superstar has been the heartbeat of football's biggest festival for two decades, and FIFA has officially confirmed that she will headline the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup — the largest, most ambitious edition in the tournament's history.
Performing her new official World Cup anthem, "Dai Dai", alongside Nigerian Grammy-winning sensation Burna Boy, Shakira is set to ignite Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, 2026, before the opening match between host nation Mexico and South Africa. The ceremony begins at 11:30 AM CST — and if history is any guide, this is one show the world will not forget.
Shakira to Perform at World Cup 2026: What We Know So Far
The announcement, made by FIFA in partnership with Sony Music, confirms what football and music fans had long hoped for: Shakira's triumphant return to the global stage that made her an international icon. Her new track "Dai Dai" — an Italian phrase meaning "let's go" or "come on" — was unveiled earlier this year as the official anthem of the 2026 tournament.
The song "Dai Dai" blends Afrobeats, Latin pop, and global rhythms, and is also the official track of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund — an initiative targeting $100 million raised by the end of the tournament to provide children worldwide with access to quality education through sport.
Shakira and the World Cup: A Love Story Spanning 20 Years
To understand just how significant this moment is, you have to go back to the roots. Shakira's relationship with the World Cup is unlike any other artist in music history.
A Legacy Etched in Football Folklore
At Germany 2006, she rocked the world with a special version of "Hips Don't Lie." Then came South Africa 2010 and the song that changed everything — "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" became one of the most iconic anthems in World Cup history, still played in stadiums around the globe to this day. In Brazil 2014, she graced the closing ceremony at the legendary Maracanã Stadium with "La La La."
Now, at 49 years old, Shakira is stepping onto football's grandest stage for the fourth time — and she isn't just repeating history. She's writing a new chapter of it.
Who Else Is Performing at the World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremonies?
The 2026 edition introduces a major innovation: for the first time in tournament history, each of the three host countries — Mexico, the United States, and Canada — will hold their own separate opening ceremonies ahead of their respective first matches. The lineup assembled is nothing short of spectacular.
The Mexico ceremony will also feature major Latin music stars including Alejandro Fernández, Maná, Belinda, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, and Los Ángeles Azules — an extraordinary celebration of Mexican and Latin American culture on the world stage.
Shakira to Perform at World Cup 2026: Why This Moment Matters
Beyond the spectacle, Shakira's involvement in FIFA 2026 carries deeper meaning. Her new anthem "Dai Dai" is tied to a campaign with real-world impact, aiming to raise $100 million for children's education globally. It's music with purpose — and it reflects how the 2026 tournament is positioning itself as more than just a football competition.
For Burna Boy, the collaboration represents a landmark moment not just for his career, but for African music on the world stage. Afrobeats has evolved from a regional sound into a global cultural force, and his prominent role in both the official song and the opening ceremony underscores that seismic shift in the global music landscape.
And for Shakira? This is validation, reinvention, and legacy all wrapped into one electrifying moment. After a turbulent few personal years, her return to football's biggest stage sends a powerful message: she's not just back — she's at the very top.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shakira at World Cup 2026
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