Shakira, the Latin Pop Queen Set to Swallow Up North and Central America in 2026, Opens the World Cup With “Dai Dai” in the Opening Ceremony’s First Performance…The Final Features BTS and Madonna on Stage

The return of a legend, the prologue to the ‘Latin pop queen’ that will seize the spotlight over North and Central America in 2026

‘The absolute ruler of Latin pop’ ‘Shakira’ once again takes control of the hearts of football fans around the world. She has been selected as the star opening the grand prologue to the upcoming ‘2026 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) North and Central America World Cup’. According to Sony Music Entertainment Korea, she will appear at the opening ceremony on the 11th (local time) at Mexico City Stadium and will unveil the historic first performance of the official theme song, ‘Dai Dai’, in a major reveal.

More than music: A masterpiece aimed at the miracle of $100 million

It’s a great leap beyond festival music. ‘Dai Dai,’ which will set the tone for the opening ceremony, is the official masterpiece of the ‘FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund’, launched through a partnership between ‘FIFA’ and the international civic action group ‘Global Citizen’. The project lays out an ambitious blueprint to give children in disadvantaged communities around the world opportunities for education and football. Until the moment the 2026 World Cup curtain falls, it targets a staggering total of ‘$100 million (about 151.3 billion won)’ in fundraising.

All-star lineup of global artists to heat up Mexico City

The main stage of the opening ceremony is nothing short of a battle of stars. ‘Shakira’ will team up with ‘Burna Boy,’ the global Afrobeats ruler born in Nigeria, and is set to deliver an overpowering performance that transcends borders. The pre-kickoff events that will keep the momentum building from 90 minutes before kickoff are also far from modest. Top-tier artists who lead the global music scene, including ‘J Balvin’, ‘Alejandro Fernandez’, and ‘Tyla,’ will join in large numbers to turn Mexico City Stadium into a massive crucible.

A record-setting finale: a once-in-a-lifetime meeting with ‘BTS’ and ‘Madonna’

The most astonishing moment isn’t over yet. ‘Shakira’’s run will continue through the eagerly anticipated ‘halftime show’ at the final on July 19. In particular, this stage brings together 21st-century pop icons ‘BTS’ and the enduring pop legend ‘Madonna’ as joint headliners, completing an unprecedented ensemble across the ages. Global media expectations are at a peak, with the world looking forward to what is set to become the biggest and most spectacular finale in football history.