Mark Pougatch from ITV expressed his enthusiasm with remarkable vigor ahead of the opening ceremony for the event at the Estadio Azteca. He candidly remarked that opening ceremonies often lack memorability, aiming to build anticipation among viewers. Moments later, he noted the delay in the ceremony’s start, commenting, “Nothing is happening,” which reinforced his earlier point about their fleeting nature.
While Pougatch’s excitement might not have been matched by the ceremony’s lineup, the event featured a collection of local talent in contrast to the global icons slated for the final’s halftime show, which includes stars like Madonna, Coldplay, and BTS. The ceremony commenced with a performance by Maná, renowned as the most successful Latin American rock band, who delighted the audience with their 1992 hit “Oye Mi Amor.” The band has achieved remarkable success, selling 45 million records and drawing comparisons to The Police. They were followed by Venezuela’s Danny Ocean and the Mexican artist Belinda, both of whom contributed to one of the 18 official World Cup songs. Ocean performed “Partidazo,” a lively reggaeton piece, while Belinda presented “Por Ella,” a collaboration with the iconic cumbia group Los Ángeles Azules, who amused British viewers with their bass player’s uncanny resemblance to comedian Paul Whitehouse.
The ceremony was notably brisk, progressing at an impressive pace. Some viewers may have wished for more of J Balvin, who charmed the audience with a self-effacing appearance in a cardboard car while performing his 2017 hit “I Like It,” one of the rare recent Latin pop songs to gain traction in the UK. However, the highlight for those less familiar with Latin American music was undoubtedly the performance by Shakira and Burna Boy, who delivered another official World Cup song titled “Dai Dai.”
Traditionally, official World Cup songs were quickly forgotten, particularly in England, where previous entries rarely made a significant impact on the charts. Songs like Ricky Martin’s “La Copa de la Vida” and “The Time Of Our Lives” by Toni Braxton and Il Divo have faded into obscurity. However, the upcoming 2026 event seems to be overflowing with such songs, marking a shift from past practices.
This year’s offerings include the official FIFA anthem “Desire,” initially performed by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger at the finals draw in December but later reimagined as a collaboration involving Andrea Bocelli, David Guetta, K-pop artist EJAE, and Megan Thee Stallion. The event boasts 16 remixed versions of the official theme, each crafted by a producer from one of the host cities. Additionally, the 18 official World Cup songs are compiled in an album featuring not only Ocean and Belinda but also social media influencer IShowSpeed and country pop star Jelly Roll. The latter stirred some controversy with his song “Lighter,” which, despite its religious themes and lack of references to the World Cup, showcased an undeniably American perspective on the occasion.
In this context, “Dai Dai” stands out as a refreshingly simple Afrobeats track that listeners might genuinely enjoy, especially when contrasted with the somber tones of previous World Cup songs. Shakira showcased her iconic dance moves, while Burna Boy occasionally missed cues with his microphone, yet his vocals remained clear. Overall, the ceremony exceeded expectations, delivering an engaging and unexpectedly educational experience for viewers.
