The opening ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup takes place in Mexico City on Thursday, 11 June, at Mexico City Stadium, with Shakira and Burna Boy performing “Dai Dai,” the Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Song supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. FIFA schedules the ceremony to begin 90 minutes before kick-off of the opening match, with gates opening four hours prior to the match for pre-match activities, experiences, activations, and entertainment.
Shakira and Burna Boy lead a line-up that also includes Andrea Bocelli, EJAE, Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná, and Tyla. Together, the artists will perform music connected to the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album. The ceremony brings international performers together with several artists closely linked to Mexican and Latin music.
Dai Dai supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise USD 100 million by the end of the tournament. The fund seeks to give children access to quality education and football opportunities. Shakira will continue her participation in the tournament when she co-headlines the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show on Sunday, July 19.
Mexico City will host the first of three opening ceremonies planned for the tournament. Canada and the United States will follow with ceremonies in Toronto and Los Angeles. FIFA and Balich Wonder Studio developed the ceremonies through a shared creative concept that interprets the FIFA World Cup Trophy through each host country’s culture. For the Mexico ceremony, the creative team draws from papel picado, the traditional Mexican art form known for intricate cut-paper designs.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the three ceremonies as a way to bring music, culture and football together while giving each host nation its own identity. Mexico begins the sequence before Toronto and Los Angeles continue it during the following days.
Mexico open the tournament at Mexico City Stadium against South Africa. Mexico and South Africa have met four times in international competition, with Mexico recording two wins, South Africa one win, and one match ending in a draw. Later that day, South Korea face Czechia in the second match of Group A at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara. The match brings together Asia and Europe as both teams begin their group campaign.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 includes 104 matches in 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The tournament begins on June 11 in Mexico City and concludes with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium.
FIFA continues to release tickets and hospitality packages through its official ticket platform, subject to availability.
