Mexican rock band Maná performed their hit song "Oye Mi Amor" during the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony in Mexico City [1, 2].
The appearance serves as a cultural showcase for Mexico, one of the three host nations for the tournament. By integrating local musical icons into the festivities, FIFA aimed to highlight the regional heritage of the host cities before the start of the competition [4, 5].
The event took place on June 11, 2026 [3], at the historic Estadio Azteca [1, 5]. Maná was part of a diverse group of headliners that included singer Shakira and artist Lila Downs [1]. Other participants in the ceremony's kickoff included Andrea Bocelli and Salma Hayek [3].
Reports on the timing of the musical segments vary. One source said the performance began 90 minutes before the first match kickoff [2], while another said it started a little over an hour before the match [6].
The ceremony focused on the intersection of sport and art. The selection of Maná, a band with global reach, mirrors the tournament's goal of uniting international audiences through shared cultural experiences. The performance of "Oye Mi Amor" provided a high-energy transition into the sporting events of the day [4, 5].
This celebration at Estadio Azteca marks the first time the venue has hosted an opening ceremony for this specific iteration of the tournament, cementing Mexico's role as a central pillar of the 2026 event [1, 5].
“Maná performed their hit song "Oye Mi Amor" during the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony”
The inclusion of Maná and other Latin American stars in the opening ceremony underscores FIFA's strategy to leverage the cultural influence of its host nations to drive global viewership. By centering the festivities at Estadio Azteca with high-profile regional talent, the tournament establishes a distinct identity that blends the sporting prestige of the World Cup with the soft power of the Latin music industry.
