Burna and Shakira Open FIFA World Cup in Mexico City to Billions

Two voices. One song. A billion listeners. And Nigeria at the centre of it all.

Burna Boy and Shakira performed the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, Dai Dai, at the opening ceremony of the tournament at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday, June 11. The performance, broadcast globally to an estimated audience running into the hundreds of millions, placed one of Nigeria’s greatest musical exports at the heart of football’s most celebrated occasion.

The Moment That Stopped Everything

The Estadio Azteca — capacity 87,000, with every seat filled — fell into something close to reverence as the music began. Burna Boy’s voice, instantly recognisable, carried across the legendary stadium. Shakira’s presence alongside him gave the moment a cross-cultural electricity that FIFA had clearly planned for.

The song itself, Dai Dai, was released in May and has already charted globally. However, hearing it performed live at the World Cup opening, in front of a full Azteca crowd and a worldwide television audience, elevated it from a pop release to a historical moment.

Nigeria at the World Cup — Just Not on the Pitch

The bitter irony has not been lost on anyone. Nigeria did not qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Super Eagles missed out in the CAF playoff final, beaten by DR Congo. As a result, the green-and-white jersey is absent from the tournament.

However, Nigeria’s cultural footprint on this World Cup is impossible to ignore. Burna Boy co-headlines the opening ceremony. Davido headlined the Countdown Concert the night before. Rema and Ayra Starr feature on the official tournament album. Furthermore, Rema also performed at the Los Angeles opening ceremony. In total, Nigeria has the most prominent musical presence of any single nation in this tournament’s cultural programming.

What This Says About Nigeria

There is a conversation happening in Nigeria right now about the gap between the country’s cultural reach and its footballing performance. The music has found its way to the world’s biggest stages. The football has not.

For now, Nigerians are watching Burna Boy at the Azteca with genuine pride. The pitch will come later. Tonight, the stage belongs to the music.