FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony: Shakira dazzles with performance of theme song ‘Dai Dai’ in Mexico City | Videos

Shakira and Burna Boy brought the crowd to its feet with energetic performances during the FIFA opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup at Estadio Azteca on Thursday, ahead of the tournament opener between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa,

The expanded 48-team competition is being jointly staged by Mexico, United States and Canada. The tournament will feature 104 matches and conclude with the final in New Jersey on July 19.

Performers filled the field with a vibrant display as they danced around an oversized replica of the World Cup trophy, while fireworks illuminated the sky above the iconic 80,000-seat stadium. The venue, which staged the World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986, has undergone extensive renovations ahead of this year's tournament.

One of the biggest highlights of the opening ceremony came when Colombian pop sensation Shakira joined forces with Burna Boy to perform “Dai Dai”, the tournament's official anthem, drawing thunderous cheers from the packed crowd.

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While the atmosphere inside the stadium remained celebratory, disorder broke out in central Mexico City, where thousands of supporters pushed and jostled as they tried to enter the official World Cup fan zone shortly before the 1800 GMT kickoff.

Water bottles thrown, insults hurled at police

Entry to the fan zone at Zocalo Plaza was restricted due to metal barricades installed in recent days to block protesting teachers from reaching the area.

"Stop pushing and shoving, there are children here, you're like animals!" a city official shouted through a megaphone while attempting to manage access to the venue, where the opening match was set to be broadcast on a giant screen, according to AFP.

Some fans also flung water bottles and shouted insults at police, while others chanted in support of the Mexican team.

Javier Maciel, a 25-year-old fan, stated, “It's crazy. There could have been better organization.”

The local authorities announced on social media that the venue had reached full capacity and advised supporters to head to other public viewing areas.

President Claudia Sheinbaum had been expected to attend the match at the fan zone, but her participation was put into doubt after several days of protests in the area by teachers demanding higher wages.