FIFA is positioning the 2026 World Cup as both a sporting and entertainment mega-product, unveiling a heavyweight lineup of global music stars set to headline opening ceremonies across Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
Colombian pop icon Shakira will headline the Mexico City opening ceremony at Estadio Azteca on Thursday, 11 June, performing the official tournament song Dai Dai alongside Nigerian superstar Burna Boy. The performance will precede the tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa, the first of 104 matches scheduled across the competition.
The expanded entertainment strategy also features J Balvin and South African artist Tyla, underscoring FIFA’s push to integrate global music markets into its World Cup broadcast and commercial ecosystem. Dai Dai, an Italian phrase meaning “let’s go” or “come on,” is expected to serve as a key branding asset throughout the tournament.
In Canada, Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette will headline the Toronto ceremony at BMO Field ahead of Canada’s fixture against Bosnia and Herzegovina on 12 June. In the United States, Katy Perry and rapper Future will perform at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles before the USA face Paraguay.
FIFA’s entertainment expansion continues beyond the opening fixtures, with Shakira also slated to co-headline a Super Bowl-style halftime show for the World Cup final on 19 July, alongside Madonna and K-pop group BTS.
The multi-venue entertainment rollout reflects FIFA’s growing commercial strategy to deepen global audience engagement, boost broadcast value, and strengthen partnerships across music, media, and sponsorship markets.
