FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Highlights: Shakira & Burna Boy Perform 'Dai Dai' As Tournament Kicks-Off

Hola! Welcome to the live coverage of the opening ceremony from the Mexico City Stadium as we await start of the quadrennial showpiece featuring 48 teams spread across three countries. Tonight's attention is on Mexico. So hold on as we bring you all the updates and key moments from the opening ceremony.

Mexican singer Alejandro Fernandez will sing the national anthem, joined by artists including Mana, Los Angeles Azules, Lila Downs and Belinda. J Balvin and Danny Ocean will also make an apperance, while Shakira headlines the ceremony alongside Nigeria’s Burna Boy with the debut performance of “Dai Dai”, the tournament’s official song.

Mexico Ceremony: 11:30 PM IST onwards on June 11

“Fútbol is a thing that unites so many cultures and people of different walks of life,” she told the AP. “The big responsibility of making a World Cup song is that you’ve got to make a song that represents people’s feelings, emotions, and passion.”

“So you’ve got to write that song, in a way, understanding that it has to be global. It has to encompass so many cultures and represent so many in one tune,” Shakira continued. “That, in a way, has helped me craft those songs in the past.”

Fans planning to watch online can stream all FIFA World Cup 2026 matches through the Zee5 app and website.

Read all about it HERE

South Africa and Mexico players have arrived at the venue. We are just minutes away from the start of the opening ceremony for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The Opening Ceremony gets underway with the showcase of Mexican heritage and culture.

Mexican pop rock band 'Mana' get the performance underway with their classical songs. The home crowd get in the groove and sing along with them.

Venezuelan singer Danny Ocean gets into the act as he performs his song. He is now followed by the musical pop group 'Los Ángeles Azules'.

Here's the superstar singer J Balvin as he performs his song 'Una A La Vez' and some of his hit tracks including 'Que Calor'.

Here she is! Shakira performs the theme song for this World Cup Dai Dai with Burna Boy.

Wow! What an electric performance from the Colombian singer and Burna Boy. That was one hell of a performance from the musical duo.

That's it from the opening ceremony as colourful fireworks ligh up the evening sky, as Shakira, J Balvin, and Mana deliver a superb opening ceremony. Wait for the live action for the MEX vs RSA match soon!