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Shakira headlines opening ceremony of 2026 World Cup at Mexico's Azteca Stadium
The 2026 FIFA World Cup opened with a spectacular ceremony at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, attended by more than 80,000 fans. The show featured a line‑up of Latin and international artists, most prominently Shakira, who performed the tournament’s official song “Dai Dai” alongside Nigerian star Burna Boy. Other performers included Maná, Danny Ocean, Los Ángeles Azules, Belinda, J Balvin, Alejandro Fernández and actress Salma Hayek, who presented the 48 participating nations’ flag parade. FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Hayek presented the World Cup trophy before the opening match between Mexico and South Africa. The ceremony was the first of three opening events for the tournament, with the United States and Canada slated to host their own shows in Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium) and Toronto (BMO Field) on the following day. Shakira’s rehearsals and the massive visual production were highlighted in the lead‑up, underscoring the event’s cultural and sporting significance as the world’s premier football competition kicks off across three host nations.