The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off on June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with the opening ceremony headlined by Shakira and Burna Boy. The duo performed "Dai Dai," the tournament's official song, just before Mexico faced South Africa in the opening match. A video shared by ShakiraMedia quickly circulated on social media after the show.
The performance featured colorful dancers, bright visuals, and a giant World Cup trophy prop as Shakira and Burna Boy commanded the stage before thousands of fans. "Dai Dai" blends reggaeton, Afrobeats, and pop music and is tied to FIFA's $100 million youth education fund. Its music video, featuring Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, has surpassed 115 million views on YouTube.
While many viewers appreciated the energy and scale, reactions online were mixed. Fans praised Shakira's confidence and stage presence, but others criticized aspects like vocals, choreography, and broadcast sound quality. The mixed response made the performance one of the most discussed moments of the opening night.
Praise for Shakira and Burna Boy
Supporters lauded Shakira for delivering another memorable World Cup appearance. Many said she looked comfortable on the big stage and brought excitement to the ceremony. Music strategist @ThatOjoBoy called "Dai Dai" the "greatest World Cup song," reflecting excitement over the collaboration between the Colombian superstar and Nigerian singer Burna Boy at the first World Cup hosted across three nations.
Criticism and Controversy
However, not everyone agreed. Several social media users expressed disappointment. One fan wrote, "Worst opening ceremony……omg sooo shit ngl." Another defended Shakira while criticizing other aspects, saying, "It wasn't you, Shakira." Questions about live vocals also emerged, with one comment reading, "Shes the goat but lip-syncing? really…" Some fans wished Shakira had performed her classic World Cup hit "Waka Waka," with one user stating, "You should had performed Waka-Waka man, Forever the greatest song you made." Critics also pointed to broadcast audio problems and felt Burna Boy seemed less prepared than expected. Despite the complaints, the performance generated huge online attention, ensuring "Dai Dai" became a top talking point from the opening day of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
