The vibrant celebration set the perfect foundation for the opening match of the tournament, where co-hosts Mexico immediately capitalized on the electric atmosphere inside the stadium to secure a dominant 2-0 victory over a nine-man South Africa squad.

The musical climax of the ceremony featured a high-octane joint performance of "Dai Dai," the tournament's official anthem. Shakira was joined on stage by Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Burna Boy, Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin, and legendary Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, creating a massive cross-genre spectacle that had the entire crowd on its feet.

The pop icon’s performance sent social media into an absolute frenzy. Millions of fans worldwide took to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to praise her timeless stage presence, with many dubbing her the undisputed "Queen of the World Cup" following her previous iconic musical contributions to the 2006, 2010, and 2014 tournaments.

Taking center stage ahead of kickoff, the 49-year-old multi-Grammy winner stunned the crowd in a dazzling, form-fitting neon yellow outfit. Accompanied by a massive troupe of backup dancers, she delivered an electrifying medley of her biggest global hits, including a nostalgic rendition of her 2010 anthem "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)."

The highly anticipated tournament officially got underway with a breathtaking, color-filled opening ceremony at the historic Estadio Azteca. The celebration beautifully showcased Mexico's rich cultural heritage through traditional dance, vibrant mariachi music, and cutting-edge visual displays to welcome the expanded 48-team field.