Burna Boy and Shakira perform the official anthem “Dai Dai” during the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico City.

Burna Boy has officially performed at the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony — and the moment was everything Nigerian music fans have been waiting for. The Lagos-born Afrobeats star took the stage at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday, 11 June, alongside Colombian superstar Shakira, in front of over 80,000 fans inside the stadium and millions watching around the world.

Shakira opened the performance, taking to the pitch and executing the choreography of “Dai Dai” — the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem — with her dancers before Burna Boy joined her on stage. The two danced together as the crowd roared, closing the song with “Dale, allez, let’s go!” Following the performance, plumes of red and green smoke erupted from the top of the stadium in a nod to the colours of the Mexican flag.

Shakira performs the tournament anthem with her choreography team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening festivities in Mexico City. Photo Credit: FIFA/Instagram

For Shakira, the performance was a return to the World Cup stage 16 years after “Waka Waka” became the defining cultural moment of the 2010 South Africa tournament. For Burna Boy, it was one of the biggest stages any Nigerian artist has ever stood on — performing the official anthem of the most watched sporting event on the planet.

The ceremony also featured Tyla and Megan Thee Stallion, with Alejandro Fernández performing the Mexican national anthem and Tyla delivering the South African anthem. World Cup Ambassador Salma Hayek Pinault also welcomed fans from around the world before the opening match between Mexico and South Africa got underway.

Shakira participates in the official on-field choreography rehearsal ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony at Estadio Azteca. Photo Credit: Shakira/Instagram

Global artist Shakira performs the official anthem “Dai Dai” with Burna Boy during the World Cup opening ceremony at Estadio Azteca. Photo Credit: Gianni Infantino/Instagram

 

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IShowSpeed wearing a red Portugal jersey with number 7, shouting excitedly in a stadium surrounded by diverse football fans holding flags from Nigeria, Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.

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Official promotional artwork for Future and Tyla’s FIFA World Cup 2026 anthem “Game Time,” produced by Cirkut.

The Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album is getting bigger, and its latest addition brings together two artists from very different corners of the music world. Tyla and Future have released “Game Time,” a new single from the project that pairs the South African star’s vocals with the Atlanta rapper’s unmistakable flow.

One thing listeners may not see coming is Tyla’s rap verse. Best known for her melodic delivery, she switches things up on “Game Time,” stepping into a faster, more rhythmic pocket that adds a different layer to the song. The accompanying video mirrors the scale of the tournament, weaving together performance scenes and football-inspired visuals that build anticipation for the months ahead.

For Tyla, the song is more than just another collaboration. She described being part of the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album as a full-circle moment, reflecting on South Africa’s hosting of the tournament in 2010. “I’m so excited to perform at the opening ceremonies. Let’s go Bafana Bafana,” she said. Future echoed the global significance of the event, describing the World Cup as a stage unlike any other and expressing his excitement about performing the track live in Los Angeles.

“Game Time” also joins a growing list of World Cup releases featuring African artists. Burna Boy recently teamed up with Shakira on “Dai Dai,” whose official video features Uganda’s renowned dance troupe, the Ghetto Kids. With Tyla, Burna Boy, Rema and others involved in this year’s musical rollout, African artists are helping shape the soundtrack to football’s biggest event.

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Uganda’s Ghetto Kids dance group pose together in matching green, yellow, and patterned Ankara-inspired outfits. Photo Credit: @ghettokids_tfug/Instagram

Africa’s footprint on the 2026 FIFA World Cup just got even bigger! Colombian pop star Shakira has invited Uganda’s Triplet Ghetto Kids to perform with her at the tournament’s final halftime show.

Shakira shared the news in a video message to fans, explaining her vision to make the performance unique by bringing together different dance talents from around the world. She confirmed that the Ugandan dance group is among those officially invited to join her on stage.

During the show, Shakira is expected to perform “Dai Dai,” the official tournament anthem she recently released featuring our very own Burna Boy.

The Ghetto Kids, founded by Dauda Kavuma in Kampala, have gained international recognition over the past decade for their choreography. The dance group previously featured in French Montana’s “Unforgettable” music video, performed during festivities at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and reached the finals of Britain’s Got Talent.

The announcement adds to a strong lineup of African talent confirmed for the tournament. Alongside Burna Boy’s feature on the official anthem, Nigerian singer Rema and South African artist Tyla are scheduled to perform at the opening ceremony at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on 12 June.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final will take place on 19 July at the New York New Jersey Stadium, where Shakira will co-headline the halftime show alongside Madonna and BTS.

 

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Nigerian star Rema and South Africa’s Tyla are set to perform at the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony at the Los Angeles Stadium on 12 June 2026.

Don’t you just love it when the worlds of music and football come together? There is something truly special about the way a massive stadium anthem can unite fans from every corner of the globe, and for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Africa is taking centre stage. FIFA has officially confirmed that Rema and Tyla are set to headline the opening ceremony in the United States, ensuring that the sounds of Afrobeats and Amapiano lead the world’s biggest sporting conversation.

The ceremony is scheduled for 12 June 2026 at the Los Angeles Stadium. Designed to celebrate the cultural diversity of the host nation, the event will see Rema and Tyla joining a star-studded lineup that includes Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, and LISA. This Los Angeles showcase is one of three major opening celebrations across North America, with additional events planned for Mexico City and Toronto.

The African excellence doesn’t stop at the opening ceremony, either. Burna Boy is making history as a featured artist on the official 2026 FIFA World Cup theme song. Titled “Dai Dai“, the track sees him collaborating with the legendary Shakira, who returns to the World Cup fold following her iconic 2010 anthem. The collaboration is expected to be a massive global hit, blending Burna’s distinct sound with Shakira’s world-renowned pop style. The full track is expected to drop on 14 May 2026.

So, while you are getting ready to cheer your teams on and support your favourite players, don’t forget to get your groove on with the music. We have no doubt that Rema and Tyla will perform awesomely, providing the perfect vibes for the world’s biggest football party.

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