Meet the full list of World Cup 2026 opening ceremony performers, from Shakira to Katy Perry

With three separate opening cermonies set to kick off the 2026 World Cup, soccer fans will have ample opportunities to learn about new artists and their musical styles.

Read more Brazilian Finance Ministry Promises Greater Transparency for Betting Industry Processes

The action will begin in Mexico, where Shakira and Burna Boy will perform the official song of the World Cup, «DAI DAI,» at Estadio Azteca, along with a number of other artists. Then, the action will segue up north 24 hours later in Canada with Alessia Cara and Michael Buble, to name a few. 

Finally, Katy Perry and Future headline a massive lineup for the opening ceremony in the United States.

While some music fans may be familiar with some (or even all) of these performers, many will likely have new additions to their music playlists after Thursday and Friday’s shows.

Here’s the rundown on which musical artists will kick off the action across North America to begin this year’s World Cup.

2026 WORLD CUP HQ: Latest World Cup news | World Cup draw results | World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup tickets

2026 World Cup Opening Ceremony musical lineup 

The Opening Ceremony of the 2026 World Cup will feature numerous A-list stars. The World Cup opening ceremonies can be viewed all around the world. Here is how to tune in from around the globe.

Here is who will be taking the stage in Mexico, Canada, and the U.S.

Mexico 2026 World Cup opening ceremony lineup

Shakira

Before even setting foot on the Estadio Azteca stage, Shakira has already made World Cup history. The Colombian has already made tournament history by becoming the first artist to have more than one official World Cup song in their repertoire. For this year’s tournament, Shakira will team up with Burna Boy to perform their World Cup headliner «DAI DAI» in Mexico City.

Most notable songs:

• Hips Don’t Lie
• Whenever, Wherever
• Beautiful Liar
• Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)

We’re Ready! The official video for DAI DAI, the FIFA World Cup Official 2026 song is here! ⚽️🐺 @burnaboy https://t.co/8beSisvEF2

A big thank you to Leo Messi, Mbappé, Luis Díaz, Vinícius Jr, Rodri, Takefusa Kubo, Santiago Giménez, Alphonso Davies, Jamal Musiala, Christian… pic.twitter.com/vbNJY8CniO

— Shakira (@shakira) May 23, 2026

Burna Boy

According to his Billboard page, Burna Boy’s music primarily revolves around «traditional reggae and dancehall with Afro-fusion melodies.» He will also be present in Mexico City with Shakira and most likely put forth massive numbers with Shakira on their «DAI DAI» song.

Most notable songs:

• wgft
• Last Last
• Just Like Me
• Only You

Kicking off @FIFAWorldCup 2026 in style 🤩

Global superstars Shakira and Burna Boy will perform live at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ opening ceremony in Mexico City!

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 7, 2026

J Balvin

In many parts of the world, not many artists come close to the numbers J Balvin puts up. Typically, the Medellin, Colombia native performs reggaeton, but his music also heavily incorporates Latin pop, Latin trap, and hip-hop. He does have one Billboard Hot 100 song that peaked in the top position, but he also has nine songs that have earned the No. 1 position on the website’s Latin Top 100.

Most notable songs:

• I Like It
• Mi Gente
• RITMO (Bad Boys For Life)
• La Cancion

Alejandro Fernandez

Alejandro Fernandez will be a crowd favorite in Mexico City. Fernandez hails from Guadalajara and largely makes music in the Mariachi, Ranchera, and Latin Pop genres. Throughout his career, he has had eight songs that have made it into Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs list.

Most notable songs:

• Si Tu Supieras
• Me Dedique A Perderte
• Yo Naci Para Amarte
• Loco

Belinda

The younger crowd in Mexico City will almost certainly be familiar with Belinda. While she was born in Madrid, Belinda moved to Mexico City when she was only four years old. She achieved early fame when she was featured on the Disney movie The Cheetah Girls 2. 

Most notable songs:

• 300 Noches
• Cactus
• Bella Traicion
• Amor A Primera Vista

Danny Ocean

Danny Ocean is a Venezuelan singer who performs Latin pop music. In 2016, his song «Me Rehuso» earned him the title of the first Latin solo artist to reach one billion streams on the platform, according to his Spotify biography. This hit also gave him the headline song of the 2010s decade in Spotify LATAM.

Most notable songs:

• Me Rehuso
• Dembow
• Monaco
• Imaginate

Lila Downs

Lila Downs is known for her prolific collection of music that is is put on a high stage in the country of Mexico. In 2013, her album Pecados y Milagros won a GRAMMY award for Best Regional Mexican Music Album. The Oaxaca, Mexico, native blends traditional boleros, rancheras, bandas, and mariachi music with jazz, blues, pop, and soul.

Most notable songs:

• Resistire
• Carnito
• Zapata Se Queda
• Mezcalito

Los Angeles Azules

The Los Angeles Azules is a family band from the Mexico City area. Six siblings from the Mejia Avante family (Elias, Alfredo, Jose Hilario, Jorge, Cristina, and Guadalupe) have grown into a largely recognized band around Latin America through their Cumbia Sonidera music, an urban, romantic, and working-class style of Mexican Cumbia.

Most notable songs:

• Nunca Es Suficiente
• Como Te Voy A Olvidar
• Amor A Primera Vista
• El Liston De Tu Pelo

Mana

This Guadalajara band formed in 1986 and has since put Latin rock atop the priority pedastal across Mexico. Their album Donde Jugaran los Ninos is the best-selling Latin rock album ever, according to their Spotify biography, along with an overall repetiore of seven No. 1 albums, thirteen total GRAMMYS (4 GRAMMYS, 9 Latin GRAMMYS), and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Read more How to watch World Cup 2026 in Australia: TV channels, live streams and fixture schedule for FIFA tournament

Most notable songs:

• Oye Mi Amor
• En El Muelle de San Blas
• Clavado en Un Bar
• Rayando el Sol

Tyla

Johannesburg, South Africa, native Tyla completes the list of musicians that will take the stage in Mexico City. While primarily performing pop and R&B tunes, her best song, «Water,» has over one billion plays on Spotify. In June 2026, that song earns an average of over 640,000 plays per day, according to Kworb.

Most notable songs:

• Water
• PUSH 2 START
• CHANEL
• Truth or Dare

MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:

• Ranking World Cup groups from hardest to easiest
• 10 World Cup teams with best chance to win
• Ranking 7 best matches of the World Cup

Canada 2026 World Cup opening ceremony lineup

Alessia Cara

In the mid-2010s, Alessia Cara was one of the biggest names in pop. Ten years later, the Ontatio mative will be performing on the grand stage of her country’s World Cup. Throughout her career, Cara has amassed eight songs in the Billboard Hot 100 list, with four of them landing in the Top 10.

Most notable songs:

• 1-800-273-8255
• Here
• Stay
• Scars To Your Beautiful

Michael Buble

While many people hear the name Michael Buble and automatically think Christmas music, the artist has made quite the name for himself outside the holidays. The man who hails from British Columbia has 12 songs that have hit the Billboard Hot 100 charts, and has earned almost 12 billion streams across his Spotify discography.

Most notable songs:

• Feeling Good
• Home
• Everything
• Sway

Alanis Morissette

Alanis Morissette, also known as the «Queen of Alt-Rock Angst,» rose to fame in the late 90s-early 2000s era of alternative rock and pop rock music. Her most well-known song, «Ironic,» peaked at No. 4 in the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1996, and has since remained recognized by listeners far and wide. 

Most notable songs:

• Ironic
• You Oughta Know
• Hand in My Pocket
• Thank U

Elyanna

Elyanna is a rising star in the music industry. The Palestinian-Chilean native performs Arabic pop, a section of music that has traditionally not burst onto the seams in global light; but that may soon change. She also blends that genre with R&B, which is known by a larger audience.

Most notable songs:

• WE PRAY
• Callin’ U
• WE PRAY (TINI version)
• Ma Meilleure Ennemie

Jessie Reyez

Another Ontario native, Jessie Reyez has some big names in her discography. She has songs with both Eminem and Sam Smith, along with two songs that charted in the Billboard Hot 100. Her song, «Promises,» has over one billion streams on Spotify.

Most notable songs:

• Promises
• FIGURES
• IMPORTED
• I’m Not Here To Make Friends

Nora Fatehi

While American listeners may not be familiar with Nora Fatehi, she is a Bollywood star. She was born in Ontario to Moroccan parents, but has since acted in multiple Bollywood pieces along with performing music.

Most notable songs:

• Chhor Denge
• Dirty Little Secret
• Zaalim
• Oh Mama! TETEMA

Sanjoy

The Bangladeshi-American Sanjoy has primarily stuck within the dance genre throughout his music career. Three of his songs have amassed over 100 million listens on Spotify as of June 2026, and he will look to grow those numbers after his inclusion in the 2026 World Cup.

Most notable songs:

• Moon Rise
• Qatal
• Tu
• House of Lies

Vegedream

Soccer fans may be familiar with Vegedream’s «Ramenez la coupe a la maison,» a song that gave shoutouts to the players on France’s 2018 World Cup-winning squad. The Orleans, France, native will be present in Toronto during Canada’s opening ceremony.

Most notable songs:

• Ramenez la coupe a la maison
• Elle est bonne sa mere
• Coeur de pirate
• La fuite — Vegedream X Dj Leska / Edit Mix

William Prince

William Prince primarly performs country and folk music. The Selkirk, Canada, native rounds out the list of performers in Toronto, and should provide a more relaxed and laidback presence at this year’s World Cup.

Most notable songs:

• The Spark
• Breathless
• All I Know
• Lighthouse

United States 2026 World Cup opening ceremony lineup

Katy Perry

American soccer fans will be delighted to see Katy Perry headline the list of performers at their opening ceremony. The pop star needs no introduction to describe her fame and influence on music as a whole, and she has earned almost 25 billion plays across her Spotify repetoire.

Most notable songs:

• Dark Horse
• Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)
• The One That Got Away
• Roar

Future

As one of rap’s most talented artists, Future has aged like fine wine. Whether he releases his own album or appears on another artist’s as a feature, the Atlanta, Ga., native is one of rap’s most consistent artists. He has appeared on some of the genre’s biggest album’s, including teamups with Drake, Metro Boomin, and Travis Scott.

Most notable songs:

• Mask Off
• Life is Good
• Love Me
• WAIT FOR U

Anitta

The Rio de Janiero native is a star around the world. She has performed in a song with The Weeknd, along with her own single, «Downtown,» tallying around one billion views. In a star-studded lineup for the United States’ opening ceremony, Anitta holds her own and then some. Anitta primarly performs Latin pop.

Most notable songs:

• Downtown
• Envolver
• Sao Paolo
• BELLAKAO

LISA

While also appearing in the Nike advertisement for the 2026 World Cup, LISA will also perform at the United States’ opening ceremony. She is one-fourth of the K-Pop group, BLACKPINK, but she also makes music on her own. One of her songs, «MONEY,» has garnered over one billion plays on Spotify.

Most notable songs:

• MONEY
• LALISA
• Rockstar
• Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me)

Rema

Benin native Rema rose to fame almost overnight in 2022. His song, «Calm Down,» became so notable that pop star Selena Gomez jumped onto the song as a feature for another version. In total, Rema has since amassed almost seven billion streams on Spotify and has done his part in putting Afrobeat on a global scale.  

Most notable songs:

• Calm Down (with Selena Gomez)
• Calm Down
• Soweto — Sped Up
• BUBALU

Tyla

Along with performing the day prior in Mexico, Tyla will also be present at the United States’ opening ceremony. She hails from Johannesburg, South Africa, and typically performs pop and R&B tunes. Her best song, «Water,» has over one billion plays on Spotify.

Read more ‘Ain’t no c— scoring against me today’: Socceroos captain fired up for fourth FIFA World Cup

Most notable songs:

• Water
• PUSH 2 START
• CHANEL
• Truth or Dare