Shakira at Azteca Stadium World Cup Opener!
Shakira performed before Mexico beat South Africa (2-0) during Fifa World Cup opening game!
Mexico City, Jun 11 (EFE).-
The Mexican rock band Maná and singer Lila Downs headlined the opening musical performance of the 2026 World Cup at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium, a celebration that reached its climax with a rendition of “Dai Dai” by Colombian singer Shakira, the official World Cup anthem.
”People of the world, welcome to Mexico,” said Lila Downs, who wore a white huipil, a traditional, sleeveless, loose-fitting, rectangular-shaped tunic or blouse worn by indigenous women in Mexico and Central America.
Downs was surrounded by dancers who paid tribute to Mexico’s pre-Hispanic cultures.
With their iconic song “Oye mi amor,” Maná, originally from Guadalajara, one of the World Cup host cities, set the mood ahead of the first match kickoff between Mexico and South Africa, which will mark the start of the World Cup co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
The first track from the official FIFA World Cup album was performed by Venezuelan artist Danny Ocean with “Partidazo,” which served as the prelude to “Por ella,” performed by Belinda and Los Ángeles Azules, another of the album’s most-streamed tracks.
The World Cup repertoire continued with J Balvin performing “Qué calor,” una a la vez with compatriot Ryan Castro, and “I Like It,” a track he shares with Cardi B and Bad Bunny, in a dance that invited everyone to the Latin party while dressed in the colors of the Mexican national team: red and green.
The Medellín native handed the stage over to his compatriot, Shakira, the queen of this World Cup, with the song “Dai Dai,” which she shares with Nigerian artist Burna Boy.
Amid hundreds of dancers and dressed in a yellow and purple outfit, the singer, wearing dark sunglasses, opened the stadium for the kickoff of the opening match.
At the center, the World Cup trophy—which will be contested in the coming days—shone throughout the show, along with the phrase “We’re ready,” the most important message of “Dai Dai,” and a symbolic kickoff for the most anticipated sporting event of the year.
Joining the lineup of musical performances, Alejandro Fernández is expected to sing the Mexican national anthem, and singer Tyla is expected to sing the South African national anthem.
With this production, the world is ready to welcome the 48 teams that will play in 104 matches, which for the first time will be held in three different host countries: Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
40 years later, Mexico is ushering in a new era with this sporting event, having previously hosted the 1986 World Cup. EFE csr/mcd
