FIFA has revealed the performing artists for the upcoming World Cup opening ceremonies, with three separate events for each host country: Mexico, USA, and Canada.
The first opening ceremony takes place in Mexico City, before the opening match between host Mexico and South Africa on Thursday. Music superstars Shakira and Burna Boy will perform the tournament's official song, "Dai Dai." The show also includes Alejandro Fernandez, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Angeles Azules, Mana, and Tyla. FIFA said it will announce additional artists for the ceremonies in the USA and Canada.
In Toronto, Canada, Alanis Morissette and Michael Buble will headline the opener before the match between Canada and Bosnia & Herzegovina on June 12.
On the same day in Los Angeles, USA, Katy Perry leads the performance lineup before the USA vs. Paraguay match, joined by global pop star LISA, Nigerian Afrobeats artist Rema, Brazilian pop star Anitta, and rapper Future.
All three ceremonies are produced by Italian producer Marco Balich, who handled the impressive opening ceremony of this year's Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Each show will begin approximately 90 minutes before kickoff.
Additionally, artists including Shakira, Madonna, and BTS will perform during the halftime show of the World Cup final, in a Super Bowl-style format. Previously, during the 1994 World Cup—the last held in the USA—Diana Ross performed at the opening ceremony in Chicago, famously missing a penalty kick.
The song "Dai Dai" aims to raise $100 million for the FIFA Global Citizenship Education Fund.
