Colombia Was Not on the Pitch, but Its Stars Opened the World Cup

Colombia · Culture

Colombia’s footballers were nowhere near the pitch on opening night, yet two of the biggest names on the World Cup stage were unmistakably Colombian, a neat measure of how far the country’s culture now reaches.

Shakira headlined the anthem at the Estadio Azteca, with J Balvin in a marquee slot. (Photo internet reproduction)

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When the 2026 World Cup opened in Mexico City, the loudest cheers before kickoff were not for a team but for a singer. Shakira, the Colombian superstar, took the field at the Estadio Azteca to perform the tournament’s official anthem.

She was not the only Colombian in the spotlight. The reggaeton star J Balvin also took a marquee slot, joined by his compatriot Ryan Castro.

Colombian voices at the heart of the World Cup opening

Shakira’s appearance carried a sense of history. She performed the anthem, a song called Dai Dai, alongside the Nigerian star Burna Boy, blending Latin and African sounds.

For her, it was familiar ground. This was her fourth World Cup, a record for any performer, and a callback to her 2010 hit that became one of football’s best-known anthems.

She used the platform to send a message too. After the performance she wished for the tournament to be a source of peace and unity, and urged that the world remember children waiting for the chance to learn and thrive.

J Balvin brought a different energy. He ran through a medley of his hits before teaming up with Ryan Castro, turning his slot into one of the night’s most talked-about moments.

The wider bill was a celebration of the region. Mexican and other Latin American acts shared the stage with global names, in a show built around the cultures of the host nations.

The Mexican hosts were front and centre. The veteran rock band Mana opened the show, and the cumbia institution Los Angeles Azules teamed up with pop star Belinda for a homegrown crowd-pleaser.

Other corners of Latin America got their turn too. Venezuela’s Danny Ocean performed his tournament track, while names from across the continent kept the pre-match build rolling.

A country that exports its sound

For Colombia, the moment said something about its place in the world. This is a country that has spent decades sending its music far beyond its borders.

Shakira helped open that door long ago, becoming a global pop figure who happens to be Colombian. A newer generation, led by reggaeton stars like J Balvin, has pushed the country’s sound onto playlists worldwide.

That reach is now so wide it can feel ordinary. Few in the Azteca crowd would have paused to note that the night’s headline anthem came from a Colombian rather than a host-nation star.

The quiet contrast

There is a gentle irony in all of it. Colombia’s national team qualified for the tournament, but it was not the side taking the field on opening night, when its artists owned the show.

Football glory and cultural reach do not always travel together. A country can struggle to reach the sport’s final stages while its singers fill the biggest stadiums on earth.

For Colombians watching from home, that may be its own kind of pride. Their flag was not on the scoreboard, but their voices were the soundtrack to the whole world’s opening night.

Why it matters

Cultural exports are easy to overlook next to trophies and goals. Yet they shape how a country is seen, and they travel to places its teams may never reach.

On opening night, Colombia offered a reminder of that power. The biggest show on earth began, in large part, in a Colombian accent.

For a foreign viewer, it is a useful lens on the region. Latin America’s influence often arrives first through its music, long before its teams or its headlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Colombian artists performed at the World Cup opening?

Shakira headlined the official anthem, performing alongside Nigeria’s Burna Boy, and J Balvin took a marquee slot with fellow Colombian Ryan Castro. Both are among Colombia’s best-known global music stars.

Did Colombia’s team play the opening match?

No, Colombia did not feature in the opener, which was hosts Mexico against South Africa. The team qualified for the tournament, but its presence on opening night was cultural rather than sporting.

How many World Cups has Shakira performed at?

This was her fourth, more than any other performer. Her 2010 song Waka Waka became one of the most recognizable World Cup anthems of all time.