Shakira steals the show at 2026 World Cup opening ceremony as Belinda and J Balvin ignite Mexico City stadium

After four years of waiting, the FIFA World Cup 2026 has once again ignited the hearts of football fans. 

On the morning of Thursday, June 11, the Estadio Ciudad de México pulsed with Latin rhythm during the tournament’s opening ceremony, featuring a star-studded lineup including Lila Downs, Maná, Danny Ocean, Los Ángeles Azules, Belinda, Shakira, and Burna Boy.

A global celebration begins:

With a stadium full of energy and excitement, the world watched as Lila Downs appeared at the center of the venue, decorated with a giant World Cup trophy. Surrounded by Aztec dancers, she honored Mexico’s pre-Hispanic roots and delivered a message of unity amid challenging global times.

Maná brings rock energy:

The blend of Latin rhythms, glowing choreography, and a visual spectacle inspired by Mexican culture turned the opening into a global celebration. 

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Maná brought a rock edge with their hit “Oye Mi Amor”. Originally released in 1992, it remains one of the most well-known Spanish-language songs, prompting the crowd to sing along.

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They were followed by Danny Ocean, who energized the audience with “Un Partidazo”, performing alongside dancers in traditional Mexican attire that filled the field with color.

Belinda and Los Ángeles Azules keep the party going:

Without letting the momentum drop, Los Ángeles Azules appeared in front of the World Cup trophy to welcome Belinda, performing “Por Ella”. 

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The collaboration got everyone dancing and set the stage for J Balvin.

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J Balvin then took over with high energy, performing “Jump” and bringing his signature style to thousands of fans inside the stadium.

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Shakira, the most anticipated star:

Just days earlier, it was confirmed that Shakira would perform at the opening ceremony in Mexico City. Anticipation grew as she shared rehearsal moments from the stadium.

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Finally, on Thursday, she delivered her performance alongside Burna Boy, with whom she performs the official event track, “Dai Dai”.

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Dressed in yellow, Shakira gave it all on stage alongside dancers who brought high energy and excitement to the crowd. With this powerful finale, music and football merged, delivering an unforgettable start to this edition of the World Cup.

Opening ceremony anthems:

One of the most emotional moments of the ceremony came from Alejandro Fernández and Andrea Bocelli.

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Alejandro Fernández performed the Mexican national anthem before kickoff of the Mexico vs. South Africa match, proudly representing his country with his powerful voice.

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Meanwhile, Andrea Bocelli and EJAE premiered “DNA”, the official FIFA anthem for the 2026 World Cup. Together, they blended Mexican musical tradition with international opera, creating a unique moment symbolizing cultural unity and the grandeur of the world’s most anticipated sporting event.