As the world counts down to the opening whistle of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Africa will once again have a powerful voice on one of the globe’s biggest stages. Nigerian Grammy Award-winning artist Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, professionally known as Burna Boy, is set to perform at the tournament’s opening ceremony in Mexico City on June 11, bringing African music and culture to an audience of billions.
Burna Boy will join Colombian superstar Shakira for the first live performance of Dai Dai, the Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Song, in a spectacle that will officially launch football’s most anticipated tournament. The performance is expected to be one of the defining cultural moments of the opening ceremony, underscoring the growing influence of African artists in shaping global entertainment.
For years, Burna Boy has been at the forefront of Afrofusion’s rise on the international stage. From sold-out stadium tours to Grammy recognition and landmark performances across continents, the Nigerian musician has consistently championed African sounds while building a career that transcends borders. His inclusion in the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony further cements Africa’s place within the global cultural conversation.
The ceremony, which will take place at Mexico City Stadium 90 minutes before kick-off, will feature an impressive lineup of international artists including Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná and South African Grammy-winning star Tyla. Together, the performers will bring tracks from the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album to life in a celebration of music, football and cultural exchange.
For Africa, the significance extends beyond entertainment. Burna Boy and Tyla’s presence at the tournament reflects the continent’s growing soft power, as African artists increasingly occupy spaces once dominated by Western acts. Their participation demonstrates how African music has evolved from a regional phenomenon into a global force capable of commanding audiences at the world’s most prestigious events.
The performance of Dai Dai also supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aiming to raise $100 million by the end of the tournament to expand access to quality education and football opportunities for children around the world.
Mexico will host the first of three opening ceremonies planned across the tournament’s host nations, with Canada and the United States also set to stage celebrations during the competition. Yet as the world turns its attention to football’s grandest stage, it is Africa’s musical ambassadors who will help set the tone.
When Burna Boy steps onto the stage in Mexico City, he will not only represent Nigeria. He will represent a continent whose creative industries continue to shape global culture, proving that African music is no longer arriving on the world stage—it is helping define it.
