The FIFA World Cup 2026 has barely kicked off, yet it has already turned into a global entertainment spectacle thanks to a lineup of major international stars dominating the opening ceremonies.
Beyond the excitement of the first football matches, this year’s tournament—co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico has captured attention for its music performances spanning multiple genres and cultural influences. From Latin music and K-pop to Afrobeats, mainstream pop, and orchestral ballads, each host country delivered its own artistic identity on stage.
What stood out most was the distinctive atmosphere created by each nation. Mexico embraced a vibrant Latin festival spirit, the United States leaned into a massive pop concert aesthetic, while Canada opted for a more elegant and culturally grounded presentation. Following three opening nights across three countries, global media outlets have highlighted five artists who generated the most buzz.
Shakira & Burna Boy – “Dai Dai”: A Latin Celebration That Felt Made for the World Cup
Unsurprisingly, Shakira emerged as one of the most praised performers following the Mexico opening ceremony. Her stage perfectly reflected the celebratory spirit of the host nation, featuring vivid Latin-inspired visuals, energetic dancers, colorful flags, and lighting effects that transformed the stadium into a carnival-like experience.
Rather than relying heavily on technical gimmicks, the performance focused on energy, choreography, and audience connection. With “Dai Dai”, the Colombian superstar once again strengthened her long-standing relationship with the World Cup after leaving unforgettable marks through “Waka Waka” and “La La La”. This time, she joined forces with Burna Boy, adding an Afrobeats dimension to her signature Latin sound.
Even before the tournament officially began, “Dai Dai” had already surpassed 100 million YouTube views, reinforcing Shakira’s unmatched influence when it comes to football-themed music. The milestone further cemented her reputation as the unofficial “Queen of the World Cup,” a title many fans feel she has earned through multiple tournament eras.
International media largely praised Mexico’s opening ceremony for being culturally rich, entertaining, and more engaging than expected. Within that setting, Shakira and Burna Boy were widely regarded as the standout global act alongside performers such as Maná, Danny Ocean, Belinda, Los Ángeles Azules, and J Balvin.
One of Shakira’s greatest strengths remains her ability to make a performance instantly feel like the World Cup without relying on over-the-top theatrics. Her vocals, choreography, infectious energy, and football legacy made “Dai Dai” one of the ceremony’s biggest highlights. While the song may not necessarily reach the legendary status of “Waka Waka”, critics agree that Shakira remains the most influential performer of this year’s opening events.
Lisa – Anitta – Rema: America’s Pop Spectacle Goes Global
If Shakira dominated through symbolism and nostalgia, the United States opening ceremony won in terms of social media impact. Held at SoFi Stadium, the American show leaned heavily into a modern stadium concert vibe, complete with a massive central stage, dramatic lighting, elaborate transitions, and a large team of dancers. Combined with giant World Cup trophy visuals and the sheer scale of the venue, the event felt youthful, flashy, and performance-driven.
The presence of Lisa, Anitta, Rema, Tyla, Future, and Katy Perry transformed the Los Angeles ceremony into a multicultural pop showcase. At the center of attention was “Goals”, a collaborative track performed by Lisa, Anitta, and Rema, blending K-pop, Latin pop, and Afrobeats into one globally targeted anthem. From the moment it was announced, the trio was viewed as an international powerhouse capable of generating massive online engagement due to their expansive fanbases across continents.
Among them, Lisa quickly became the biggest talking point. The BLACKPINK star appeared in a striking outfit, commanding the stage with charisma, polished choreography, and undeniable pop star presence. Her performance style made her the focal point in many moments throughout the show.
Following the opening ceremony in Los Angeles, “Goals” instantly became one of the hottest topics online, with Lisa dominating global headlines. Hashtags connected to Lisa and the World Cup performance trended worldwide on X shortly after the show aired.
However, the performance also divided audiences. While Lisa’s star power drove huge attention, some viewers argued that “Goals” lacked the emotional intensity expected from a memorable World Cup anthem. Critics felt the lyrics failed to capture the passion and unity traditionally associated with football songs, while the melody was viewed by some as less catchy than expected.
Despite mixed reactions, Lisa’s World Cup appearance still marked a major milestone in her solo career, making her one of the rare K-pop idols to perform at football’s biggest event.
Katy Perry: Strong Star Power, But a Surprisingly Simple Stage
Katy Perry represented mainstream pop at the U.S. opening ceremony and remained one of the highest-profile artists in the lineup. Performing at SoFi Stadium, Perry continued the grand concert atmosphere established in Los Angeles, though her approach differed from the heavily choreographed performances around her.
Dressed in a sparkling silver gown, the singer delivered “Wonder”, offering a softer and more understated moment compared to the high-energy sets from Lisa, Anitta, Tyla, and Future. Ahead of the event, her appearance had already generated anticipation as it marked the first time she performed the track live on a World Cup stage.
Afterward, entertainment media highlighted Perry as one of the major fashion standouts of the ceremony. Her name even climbed to No. 5 on U.S. trending topics on X, demonstrating her continued relevance and star appeal.
Still, reactions to her performance were mixed. Critics argued that the show relied more on visuals and styling than a truly unforgettable musical moment. Some viewers also expressed disappointment, describing the stage as more restrained and less dynamic than expected for a global event of this scale.
Nevertheless, Katy Perry’s star power ensured she remained one of the hardest names to overlook throughout the World Cup festivities.
EJAE & Andrea Bocelli: The Unexpected Emotional Highlight
Among a lineup filled with household names, EJAE emerged as one of the ceremony’s most surprising discoveries. Before appearing alongside legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli, EJAE was relatively unfamiliar to mainstream international audiences. Compared to global names such as Shakira, Lisa, or Katy Perry, she initially felt like an unexpected addition to the lineup.
However, her performance of “DNA” quickly changed that perception. Unlike the high-energy dance performances dominating the opening ceremonies, EJAE’s stage offered a more emotional and elegant atmosphere. Standing beside Bocelli, she created an intriguing contrast between his powerful classical voice and her youthful, contemporary vocals.
International media described “DNA” which also involved David Guetta and Megan Thee Stallion as one of the most genre-crossing performances of the World Cup, blending classical music, EDM, hip-hop, and modern pop.
Following the show, many viewers began searching for EJAE’s identity, curious about the rising singer who stood confidently beside one of the world’s most iconic vocalists. For many, she became an unexpected breakout star of the opening ceremony.
Michael Bublé: Elegant but Out of Sync With the World Cup Mood
Michael Bublé arguably delivered the most polarizing performance among the major World Cup stars. Unlike the explosive Latin energy in Mexico or the flashy pop spectacle in the United States, Canada embraced a more formal and composed atmosphere. Within that setting, Bublé stayed true to his signature style, prioritizing vocals and emotional delivery over spectacle.
Yet, it was his song choice “Bring It On Home To Me” that sparked debate. Many international viewers questioned whether the track truly suited a football event known for adrenaline, passion, and crowd energy. The criticism was less about Bublé’s vocal ability and more about whether the performance matched the emotional expectations of a World Cup celebration.
For fans of Michael Bublé, the moment felt classy and emotionally rich. For others expecting an electrifying football atmosphere, however, the performance seemed oddly out of place. Some international media outlets even joked that Bublé had been “defrosted early,” referencing his long-running association with Christmas music.
Overall, the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremonies highlighted FIFA’s growing ambition to turn football’s biggest tournament into a full-scale global entertainment event.
Mexico celebrated Latin culture, the United States embraced a multinational pop spectacle, and Canada leaned into elegance and tradition.
Among it all, Shakira reaffirmed her status as a World Cup icon, Lisa-Anitta-Rema dominated online conversation, Katy Perry showcased enduring star power, EJAE emerged as an unexpected discovery, and Michael Bublé became the most divisive performer due to a stage many felt didn’t quite match the World Cup atmosphere.
Sources: K14
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