The 2026 FIFA World Cup began this Thursday (11) with a musical moment that unites voices from different generations and continents. Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and South Korean artist EJAE performed for the first timeDNA (More Than A Game), the official anthem of the competition, during the opening ceremony at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
The track, released globally the day before, is a production that mixes opera, electronics, rap and K-pop. David Guetta writes the pulsating beat, Megan Thee Stallion contributes verses in English that reinforce the football roots, while EJAE included lyrics in Korean, representing South Korea. Bocelli delivers the main part with his characteristic voice, singing in Italian.
The titleDNAsummarizes the song’s proposal: football as something intrinsic to people’s identity, more than a simple game. The lyrics speak of resilience, unity, ambition and belonging, values that cross generations of players and fans.
Historical presentation at Azteca
Bocelli and EJAE took to the stage at the iconic Azteca Stadium, which is hosting its third World Cup (after 1970 and 1986), minutes before the opening game between Mexico and South Africa. The performance marked the official start of the tournament, the first hosted by three countries: Canada, Mexico and the United States, with 48 teams and 104 matches over more than a month.
For Bocelli, the moment has personal significance. He highlighted that football has always been part of his life and that returning to Mexico, a country that welcomed him warmly on other occasions, makes the presentation even more special. EJAE, in turn, recalled the emotion of the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and the feeling of unity that the event provides.
Global collaboration and cultural impact
The choice of artists reflects FIFA’s proposal to create an anthem that speaks to the multicultural character of the 2026 edition. The mix of genres — from classical tradition to urban and electronic music — seeks to speak to varied audiences around the world. The song is now available on all streaming platforms.
Azteca, with a capacity for around 83 thousand fans, enjoyed a day of celebration despite threats of protests and rain in the Mexican capital. In addition to the performance ofDNA, the ceremony featured other artists celebrating local culture, such as Shakira, who also performed at the event.
