“Worst opening ceremony”: Shakira’s big FIFA World Cup 2026 moment triggers unexpected fan reactions

The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially began on June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, and one of the biggest talking points of the night was the opening ceremony performance by Shakira and Burna Boy. The two global music stars performed “Dai Dai,” the tournament’s official song, shortly before Mexico faced South Africa in the opening match. A video shared by ShakiraMedia quickly spread across social media after the show. The performance featured colorful dancers, bright visuals, and a giant World Cup trophy prop as Shakira and Burna Boy took center stage in front of thousands of fans.

“Dai Dai” was created as an official World Cup track and combines reggaeton, Afrobeats, and pop music. The song is also connected to FIFA’s $100 million youth education fund. Its music video, which includes appearances from Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, has already crossed 115 million views on YouTube. While many viewers enjoyed the energy and scale of the performance, reactions online were far from unanimous. Fans praised Shakira’s confidence and stage presence, but others criticized parts of the show, including the vocals, choreography, and broadcast sound quality. The mixed response quickly turned the performance into one of the most discussed moments of the tournament’s opening night.

Shakira and Burna Boy’s FIFA World Cup Song “Dai Dai” draws praise and criticism after Mexico City performance

Supporters of the performance praised Shakira for once again delivering a memorable World Cup appearance. Many viewers said she looked comfortable on the big stage and brought excitement to the ceremony.

Music strategist @ThatOjoBoy was among those celebrating the collaboration, calling “Dai Dai” the “greatest World Cup song.” The praise reflected the excitement surrounding the partnership between the Colombian superstar and Nigerian singer Burna Boy at the first World Cup hosted across three nations.

However, not everyone felt the same way.

Several social media users expressed disappointment after watching the performance. One fan wrote, “Worst opening ceremony……omg sooo shit ngl.”

Another viewer defended Shakira while criticizing other aspects of the show, saying, “It wasn’t you, Shakira.”

Questions about live vocals also became a major topic. One comment read, “shes the goat but lip-syncing? really…”

Meanwhile, some fans wished Shakira had returned to the song most closely linked with her World Cup legacy. One user wrote, “You should had perfomed Waka- Waka man, Forever the greatest song you made.”

The criticism was not directed at one person alone. Some viewers pointed to broadcast audio problems, while others felt Burna Boy appeared less prepared than expected. Despite those complaints, the performance generated huge attention online and ensured that “Dai Dai” became one of the most talked-about moments from the opening day of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.




Get the latest Sports news and live updates. Download the TOI App.