Shakira gave World Cup fans one of the first major moments of the tournament when she took the stage during the opening ceremony in Mexico City. Before the first match had even settled into focus, the Colombian superstar had already turned the celebration into a performance people across the world were talking about.
The ceremony took place at Mexico City’s iconic stadium before the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which began with Mexico facing South Africa. The tournament is the biggest in World Cup history, featuring 48 teams, 104 matches, and three host nations: Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
For many viewers, Shakira’s appearance carried extra meaning because of her long connection to World Cup music. Years after “Waka Waka” became one of the most memorable football anthems of all time, fans were eager to see her return to one of the world’s biggest stages.
This time, Shakira performed alongside Burna Boy during the ceremony, bringing international star power to a celebration filled with Latin energy, cultural pride, and global attention. Her performance helped give the opening a feeling that went beyond a simple pre-match show.
The moment quickly lit up social media as fans praised her confidence, stage presence, and ability to make the ceremony feel bigger. For some, it was the kind of performance that reminded them why Shakira has become so closely connected with football’s biggest tournament.
The opening celebration also featured several major artists, including Maná, J Balvin, Belinda, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Danny Ocean, Tyla, and others. But Shakira’s name became one of the biggest talking points because of the history she brings to the World Cup stage.
The ceremony mixed music, color, and cultural celebration as fans filled the stadium and millions watched from around the world. It was designed to mark not just the start of a tournament, but the beginning of a month-long global event shared across countries, languages, and cultures.
For Latin fans especially, Shakira’s presence felt like a proud moment. Her performance represented more than celebrity star power; it reflected the influence of Latin music on global entertainment and the way football brings different parts of the world together.
The World Cup had only just begun, but the opening ceremony already gave fans something to remember. Before the biggest goals, biggest rivalries, and biggest surprises of the tournament, Shakira delivered one of its first unforgettable moments.
By the time the ceremony ended, one thing was clear: football may have been the reason everyone gathered, but Shakira helped make the opening feel like a worldwide celebration. Her performance gave the tournament a burst of energy from the very beginning, and fans are already calling it one of the standout moments of the event.
