Colombian singer Shakira and Nigerian star D'banj will headline the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, according to a joint announcement from FIFA and Sony Music. The ceremony, starting 90 minutes before the first match,will also feature Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, and Tyla, with the official song “Dai Dai” serving as the anthem for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund’s $100 million goal.

Shakira’s fourth World Cup stage: from “Waka Waka” to “Dai Dai”

Shakira’s involvement marks her fourth World Cup performance, following “Hips Don’t Lie - Bamboo” at Germany 2006, the global hit “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” at South Africa 2010, and “La La La” at Brazil 2014’s closing ceremony.. As reported by FIFA, she will also co-headline the final’s halftime show on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey alongside Madonna and BTS. This return to the World Cup stage underscores her enduring cross-cultural appeal, a key factor in FIFA’s strategy to connect with audiences across the Americas and Africa.

The $100 million education fund behind the official song

The official tournament song “Dai Dai” is more than a stadium anthem: it supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund’s $100 million goal to provide children worldwide with access to quality education and sports.. According to the source, FIFA and Sony Music stated that the song “will resonate throughout a tournament that will connect billions of people.” The fund’s target is ambitious, and whether the opening ceremony’s global audience can drive donations remains an open question.

Three-nation first: why Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca kicks off a continental tournament

The 2026 World Cup is the first to be hosted by three nations: Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Estadio Azteca, one of football’s most iconic venues, will host the opening ceremony and match, while additional artists for ceremonies in Canada and the U.S. are yet to be announced. The source notes that Mexico’s event initiates a series of inaugural events — a logistical and cultural challenge for FIFA as it balances national identities within a single tournament .

What the lineup still doesn’t answer

The announcement leaves several questions unanswered. No details have been provided about the involvement of local Mexican artists beyond those already named, nor about how the Global Citizen Education Fund will track and report donations tied to the song. Additionally,while Shakira and D’banj headline, the source does not clarify whether D’banj has a prior World Cup performance history or how his role will compare to Shakira’s. FIFA has promised more performer announcements in the coming months.