Shakira kicks off World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico City

Mexico City's World Cup opening ceremony dazzled with a star-studded lineup, including Shakira, Maná, Andrea Bocelli, and a surprise appearance by Salma Hayek. The event preceded Mexico's 2-0 victory over South Africa.

Colombian superstar Shakira performed "Dai Dai," the tournament's official song, alongside Burna Boy. This performance aimed to replicate the success of her 2010 World Cup hit, "Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)," which coincidentally kicked off with the same fixture in South Africa.

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A good World Cup song, needs to definitely have rhythm. It has to be rhythmic. It has to make people want to dance. And it has to be an anthem as well. It has to make people want to sing along in unison, sing out loud at the top of their lungs.

Shakira, a veteran of multiple World Cups, described a good tournament song as needing rhythm, making people want to dance, and serving as an anthem for communal singing. She is also slated to perform at the World Cup final halftime show on July 19 in New Jersey.

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People of the world, welcome to Mexico. Mexico welcomes you with smiles from our heart, we are a nation of diversity, heritage and pride in ancestral lands where movement and ritual spirit endure.

Mexican singer-songwriter Lila Downs welcomed the global audience in Spanish, English, and Indigenous languages like Mixtec and Nahuatl. Expressing pride in her diverse heritage, Downs stated, "Mexico welcomes you with smiles from our heart, we are a nation of diversity, heritage and pride in ancestral lands where movement and ritual spirit endure."

The ceremony also featured electrifying performances by the rock band Maná, who performed "Oye Mi Amor" surrounded by pre-Hispanic dancers, and the Mexican cumbia group Los Ángeles Azules with Belinda performing "Por Ella." J Balvin delivered a dynamic set, driving a cardboard car and collaborating with Ryan Castro.

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It's a great honour for me to represent my beautiful and diverse country. Of course I'm going to root for Mexico's team, Viva Mexico!