Shakira, Maná, Bocelli Lead Who Is Performing At The World Cup 2026
Who is performing at the world cup 2026 became clear in Mexico City on Thursday, June 11, 2026, when Shakira, Maná, Andrea Bocelli and Salma Hayek appeared at the opening ceremony before Mexico faced South Africa. The lineup turned a Group A kickoff into a high-profile entertainment event, then Mexico handled the match 2-0.
Mexico City opener draws major names
Shakira performed during the opening ceremony, while Maná also took part before the World Cup Group A match. Andrea Bocelli appeared as well, giving the event a mix of pop, rock and classical reach that few tournament kickoffs can match.
Salma Hayek drew the sharpest attention because she did not just appear on a screen or in a seatside role; she gestured on the pitch before the start of the match. For a ceremony built around global spectacle, that put a Mexican-American actress directly inside the pregame moment in Mexico City.
Belinda and J Balvin join the bill
Belinda and J Balvin also performed before kickoff, filling out a roster that pushed the ceremony beyond a standard sporting lead-in. The presence of multiple performers in one place made the opening ceremony itself the story, not just the 2-0 result that followed.
Mexico's 2-0 victory over South Africa gave the evening a tidy ending on the field, but the entertainment value arrived first. That sequence matters for readers tracking the tournament's opening week: the ceremony set the tone, and the match supplied the result.
Thursday's 2-0 result
Mexico's 2-0 win over South Africa on Thursday, June 11, 2026, wrapped the night with the host team in control. The ceremony line-up had already done the promotional work, turning the match into a broader showcase for the tournament's launch in Mexico City.
For viewers deciding whether to tune in for the opener, the answer was straightforward: the ceremony was the event, and the pitch delivered the rest. When a World Cup start day pairs Shakira, Maná, Andrea Bocelli, Salma Hayek, Belinda and J Balvin with a Group A match, the opening frame carries as much weight as the final score.
