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Shakira, Burna Boy to perform at 2026 World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico City
🇲🇽 Mexico /Culture & Society

Shakira, Burna Boy to perform at 2026 World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico City

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • FIFA confirmed Shakira and Burna Boy will perform at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City.
  • The event on Thursday at Estadio Banorte will also feature Mexican artists like Maná and Alejandro Fernández, alongside international acts.
  • This follows Shakira's iconic

Shakira and Nigerian artist Burna Boy will headline the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City, FIFA announced on June 4. The performance is scheduled for Thursday at Estadio Banorte.

If 'Waka Waka' became the anthem for a generation of football fans, 'Dai Dai' will seek to follow in its footsteps.

— El UniversalThe article's introduction, setting the expectation for the performance.

This event aims to replicate the success of Shakira's 2010 World Cup anthem, "Waka Waka." Burna Boy, a prominent figure in afrobeats, has expressed his long-standing interest in collaborating with the Colombian superstar. The opening show is expected to last approximately 16 minutes and 30 seconds, with several artists performing songs related to the tournament.

Shakira has become one of the most recognizable faces in football-related music thanks to hits like 'Waka Waka,' while Burna Boy is considered one of the biggest exponents of afrobeats worldwide.

— El UniversalDescribing the artists' relevance and connection to football.

Mexican artists including Maná, Belinda, Alejandro Fernández, Lila Downs, and Los Ángeles Azules are also slated to perform. International artists like J Balvin, Danny Ocean, and South Africa's Tyla will join them. Belinda and Los Ángeles Azules are contributing to "Por Ella," a song on the official World Cup album.

Shakira recently revealed that she had been interested in collaborating with the Nigerian singer for some time.

— El UniversalHighlighting the artists' prior connection.

The opening festivities will extend beyond Mexico City, with musical performances planned in the United States. Artists such as Lisa from Blackpink, Katy Perry, Anitta, and Future are confirmed for events surrounding the tournament's early days.

The pre-match show before the start of the Cup will last approximately 16 minutes and 30 seconds.

— FIFAProviding details about the duration of the opening performance.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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