Shakira, Burna Boy to perform official World Cup song at opening ceremony

Colombian pop superstar Shakira and Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy will perform the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the tournament’s opening ceremony in Mexico City. The pair will take to the stage at Estadio Azteca on 11 June ahead of the opening match between Mexico and South Africa, performing *Dai Dai*, the tournament’s official anthem. As reported by BBC Sport on Friday, Dai Dai is a celebration of football’s power to unite people across cultures and continents,” FIFA said in a statement announcing the performance.” The title of the song, an Italian phrase meaning “let’s go” or “come on,” is expected to be one of the centrepieces of the opening ceremony. Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin and South African singer-songwriter Tyla will also perform during the show, which kicks off the month-long tournament. Related News World Cup: FIFA demands payment after glitch gives fans free tickets We played a good game against Nigeria – Poland coach Liverpool name Spaniard Iraola new manager “We wanted a song that captures the energy, passion and global spirit of the FIFA World Cup,” FIFA added. “Shakira and Burna Boy bring together two of the world’s most influential musical voices.” The opening ceremony in Mexico is one of three planned across the tournament’s host nations. In Canada, Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette will headline celebrations before Canada’s opening match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto on 12 June. Meanwhile, American pop star Katy Perry and rapper Future will perform before the United States face Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Shakira’s return to the World Cup stage continues her long association with football’s biggest tournament following the success of previous World Cup songs, including *Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)* and *La La La*. The singer is also scheduled to appear at the World Cup final on 19 July, where she will co-headline the tournament’s first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show alongside Madonna and K-pop group BTS. Gilbert Ekugbe Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.

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