The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially kicked off Thursday, June 11, with a star-studded opening ceremony in Mexico City featuring Shakira and Burna Boy performing their official anthem “Dai Dai” ahead of the tournament’s first match between Mexico and South Africa.
The tournament, expanded to 48 teams for the first time in its history, is being hosted across three nations—Mexico, Canada, and the United States—with matches spanning 11 cities. The opening ceremonies, a first for the World Cup, are designed to showcase each host country’s cultural identity through music, art, and spectacle, blending local talent with global stars.
Why Three Opening Ceremonies?
The 2026 World Cup’s three opening ceremonies—June 11 in Mexico City, June 12 in Toronto, and June 12 in Los Angeles—mark a historic shift in how FIFA presents the tournament. Unlike previous editions, where a single ceremony set the tone, this year’s format reflects the expanded scale and North American hosting. According to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the lineup of artists “reflects the cultural diversity of the United States and the vibrancy of its many diasporas,” a theme echoed across all three ceremonies.
Mexico’s ceremony, held at the Estadio Azteca, featured Shakira and Burna Boy performing “Dai Dai,” the official song of the tournament. The duo’s collaboration, released in May, celebrates resilience and unity—fitting themes for a World Cup that has already drawn global attention for its record-breaking scope. As Shakira announced on Instagram in May, “The @fifaworldcup 2026 starts now!”
The ceremony also included performances by Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, and Lila Downs, alongside international acts like Tyla and J Balvin. Mexican-American actress Salma Hayek Pinault served as the tournament’s ambassador, welcoming fans to Mexico City. Meanwhile, the match between Mexico and South Africa—scheduled for 2 p.m. local time—repeats a 2010 fixture, though this time Mexico plays at home with a clear advantage.
The Lineup: Who’s Performing Where?
The three ceremonies each offer a distinct cultural flavor. In Toronto, Canada’s opening ceremony on June 12 will feature Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, and Jessie Reyez, alongside international artists like Elyanna and Sanjoy. The lineup, according to Forbes, celebrates Canada’s multicultural identity, with performances set to begin at 1:30 p.m. ET ahead of Canada’s match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The U.S. ceremony in Los Angeles, also on June 12, will be the most star-studded, with Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, and Rema headlining. The event, set for 7:30 p.m. ET at SoFi Stadium, precedes the U.S. Men’s National Team’s opener against Paraguay. FIFA emphasized the lineup’s diversity, noting it “showcases the power of music to bring people together across the country.”
Each ceremony will be broadcast live on FOX networks in the U.S., with the Mexico and U.S. events also available for free on Tubi. The ceremonies are not just pre-match entertainment—they are designed to set the tone for a tournament that promises to be the largest in FIFA history, with 104 matches scheduled through July 19.
Security and Scale: The Challenges of a 48-Team Tournament
The 2026 World Cup’s expansion to 48 teams has introduced logistical challenges, particularly in security. With matches spread across 11 cities, FIFA and local authorities have ramped up measures to protect players, fans, and visitors. According to CBS News, the FBI’s Atlanta field office, led by Special Agent Marlo Graham, has been involved in coordinating security efforts alongside FIFA officials.
For more on this story, see On the Eve of the World Cup, U.S. Immigration Policy Turns Some Away.
One notable change is the use of three opening ceremonies, a decision that reflects the tournament’s decentralized nature. Unlike past editions, where a single ceremony set the stage, this year’s format allows each host nation to highlight its unique cultural identity. The ceremonies also serve a practical purpose: they provide a warm-up for the matches while engaging global audiences in real-time.
The scale of the tournament is unprecedented. With 48 teams competing, the number of matches has doubled since 2014. This expansion has required FIFA to rethink stadium capacities, fan experiences, and even the tournament’s scheduling. For example, BMO Field in Toronto expanded from 28,000 to 45,000 seats to accommodate the influx of fans for Canada’s opener.
Shakira’s Legacy: A World Cup Icon Returns
Shakira’s involvement in the 2026 World Cup is no accident. The Colombian superstar has been a fixture at FIFA tournaments for over two decades, performing at the 2006, 2010, and 2014 editions. Her 2010 anthem, “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” became a global hit, and her 2014 performance of “La La La (Brazil 2014)” solidified her status as the “Queen of the World Cup.”
This year, Shakira returns with “Dai Dai,” a song that blends Afrobeats and Latin rhythms to celebrate perseverance. Her performance in Mexico City, alongside Burna Boy, was a centerpiece of the opening ceremony. But her role in the tournament doesn’t end there—she is also set to perform at the first-ever halftime show during the World Cup final on July 19, alongside Madonna and BTS.
Shakira’s presence underscores the tournament’s global appeal, bridging cultural divides through music. Her ability to connect with fans across continents has made her a symbol of the World Cup’s unifying power. As she sang in “Dai Dai,” the message resonates: “What broke you once made you strong.” For a tournament built on resilience and unity, her performances are more than entertainment—they are a reminder of what the World Cup represents.
What Happens Next?
With the opening ceremonies complete, the focus now shifts to the matches. Thursday’s Group A fixtures include Mexico vs. South Africa at 2 p.m. ET and South Korea vs. Czechia at 11 p.m. ET. Friday’s schedule kicks off with Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina at 3 p.m. ET, followed by the U.S. vs. Paraguay at 9 p.m. ET.
The tournament’s group stage will run through June 21, with the knockout rounds beginning on June 26. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Shakira will once again take the stage. Beyond the matches, fans can expect continued cultural celebrations, including halftime shows and fan zones in each host city.
For soccer fans, the 2026 World Cup is more than a sporting event—it’s a cultural phenomenon. With its record-breaking scale, diverse lineups, and historic hosting, the tournament is poised to redefine what a World Cup can be. Whether through Shakira’s performances, the three opening ceremonies, or the sheer number of teams competing, this edition is already setting new standards.
One thing is certain: the 2026 World Cup is just getting started.
