Colombian singer Shakira headlined a high-energy musical set during the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony on June 8, 2026 [1].
The performance served as the official launch for the tournament, aiming to showcase international musical talent and Mexican culture to a global audience [1, 5].
Shakira performed at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, a venue with approximately 87,000 seats [3, 4]. Reports from the event described the singer as smiling and dancing throughout her set. A Today.com staff reporter said, "Shakira lit up the stadium with her energy, smiling and dancing through every song" [1].
Observers noted the singer's engagement with the crowd during the festivities. An iNews correspondent said the Colombian star seemed to be having a blast, interacting with fans, and laughing between numbers [3]. A CBS Sports reporter said Shakira’s performance was full of joy, as she laughed and moved across the stage with obvious fun [2].
While the singer's individual performance received positive notes, the overall quality of the ceremony drew mixed reactions. Some reports described the event as lacking energy or being flatter than a punctured football. Other critics suggested that while Shakira scored, the broader ceremony fell short of expectations.
Despite these contradictions regarding the production's atmosphere, the headlining set remained a focal point of the opening day. The event preceded the tournament's initial matches, establishing the tone for the competition's presence in Mexico.
“Shakira lit up the stadium with her energy, smiling and dancing through every song.”
The use of a global superstar like Shakira for the opening ceremony reflects FIFA's strategy to maximize viewership and cultural appeal. While the mixed reviews of the ceremony's production suggest a gap between the individual star power and the event's choreography, the high-profile performance ensured significant media attention for the tournament's start in Mexico City.
