LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Nigerian music superstar Burna Boy joined Colombian pop icon Shakira on football’s biggest stages as the pair delivered a stunning performance of the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, “Dai Dai,” during the tournament’s opening ceremony in Mexico City.
The highly anticipated performance took place on Thursday at the iconic Estadio Azteca, moments before the opening match between co-host nation Mexico and South Africa.
Their appearance quickly became one of the standout moments of a colorful ceremony that celebrated music, culture and football.
Burna Boy brought his trademark energy to the stage with a lively rendition of “Dai Dai,” while Shakira thrilled the crowd by performing the opening verse of the tournament anthem following a performance by Colombian star J Balvin.
The ceremony also featured celebrated Mexican performers, including Alejandro Fernandez, Lila Downs and Belinda.
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Dancers filled the pitch around a giant replica of the FIFA World Cup trophy while fireworks illuminated the renovated 80,000-capacity stadium.
Fans online praised the collaboration, with many celebrating Burna Boy’s continued rise on the global stage.
After the performance, his mother Bose Ogulu was seen giving the “Las Las” hitmaker a warm hug, praising him for the proud moment and growth as a music star.
Social media users described the performance as an extra star for Afrobeats, noting that the Nigerian singer once again represented Africa at one of the world’s most watched events.
The event added another historic chapter to the legacy of Estadio Azteca, a venue that previously hosted the 1970 and 1986 FIFA World Cup finals, featuring football legends Pelé and Diego Maradona.
With this year’s competition, Mexico became the first country to host the World Cup three times.
Meanwhile, the 2026 tournament is already making history as the first FIFA World Cup to feature 48 national teams.
Co-hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada, the expanded competition will include 104 matches, with the final scheduled for July 19 in New Jersey.
For many fans, however, the opening ceremony belonged to Burna Boy and Shakira, whose performance of “Dai Dai” set the tone for what promises to be one of the most memorable World Cups in football history.
