The 2026 World Cup officially started this Thursday (11) at the Azteca Stadium, in Mexico City. Before the kickoff of the game between Mexico and South Africa, Colombian Shakira led the musical attractions of the opening ceremony alongside Burna Boy, performing “Dai Dai”, the official song of the tournament.
The spectacle marked the beginning of a historic edition, with 48 teams and three host countries. Shakira’s performance, known for hits like “Waka Waka” at the 2010 World Cup, was one of the highlights of the event, which also featured names like J Balvin, Belinda and other local artists. The ceremony preceded the Group A match, which pits hosts Mexico against South Africa.
On social media, especially on X, the singer’s name quickly became a trending topic. Many praised the show’s energy and grand visual production. However, some internet users found Shakira’s look strange during the performance, with flashy yellow looks, and questioned whether she was a stunt double in some moments captured on the broadcasts.
The reaction mixed admiration with memes and theories. Videos and photos of the performance quickly circulated, generating comparisons with the artist’s previous appearances. Some fans argued that the effect came from the stadium lighting and TV makeup, while others raised questions about the “different look” going viral.
Shakira’s historical connection to football
Shakira is not new to World Cups. In addition to “Waka Waka”, she has a strong connection with sport and used the global platform to highlight causes, such as the FIFA fund that seeks to raise US$100 million for education and access to football among young people. “Dai Dai” mixes reggaeton, afrobeats and pop, and has already accumulated tens of millions of views on the official video featuring Messi and Mbappé.
Shakira’s choice for Azteca reinforces the opening’s Latin appeal. The iconic stadium hosts the tournament for the third time, and the Colombian’s presence helps connect the event with the Latin American public.
What lies ahead for the World Cup
After Mexico, celebrations continue in the other host countries. Anitta is scheduled for the ceremony in Los Angeles, and Katy Perry is also part of the attractions. The unprecedented format of three openings distributes the show globally.
On the field, Mexico enters as favorites against South Africa, who are looking to surprise. The game counts for the first round of Group A, which still includes South Korea and another team.
The start of the 2026 World Cup mixes music, football and expectation. Shakira’s show fulfilled the role of warming up the tournament, even with the divided reactions that dominated online conversations in the first hours.