Davido brings anti-terror campaign to global stage at World Cup

Burna Boy and Shakira delivered a show-stopping performance to kick off the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday, electrifying the crowd with their rendition of "Dai Dai", the tournament's official song, at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico.

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Their high-energy set, which drew thunderous applause from over 80,000 fans, paved the way for the first match between Mexico and South Africa, setting the tone for what promises to be an unforgettable World Cup experience.

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This year's World Cup is the largest in history, with 48 countries competing in 104 matches across 16 cities, making it a truly global spectacle.

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The opening ceremony was a visual feast, featuring a massive World Cup trophy, dazzling fireworks, and a sea of dancers, all of which transformed the renovated Azteca Stadium into a vibrant celebration of football and music.

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Mexican pop-rock band Mana got the party started, followed by Venezuelan sensation Danny Ocean, who performed alongside dancers adorned in traditional Mexican attire, leading into a rousing performance of "Por Ella" by Belinda and Los Ángeles Azules.

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Colombian superstar J Balvin then took the stage, bringing his signature Latin energy to the crowd with hits like "Qué Calor", "Una a la Vez", and "I Like It", all while donning Mexico's red and green colors.

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The grand finale featured the highly anticipated performance by Shakira and Burna Boy, with the duo delivering a mesmerizing show that highlighted Afrobeats' growing global influence and left the crowd eagerly anticipating the start of the tournament.

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For the first time in nearly 100 years, the World Cup is being jointly hosted by three countries: Mexico, Canada, and the United States, marking a new era in international football cooperation.

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Burna Boy was not the only Nigerian music sensation to make an impact, as Davido also took the stage at the World Cup countdown concert held on Wednesday night at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

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Davido made a bold fashion statement, wearing a custom black leather moto jacket designed by stylist Hollyandroo, which featured the names of over 40 abducted school children and teachers from Ogbomosho, Oyo State, emblazoned across it, along with the powerful message "Bring Them Home" emblazoned in white graffiti-style lettering on the back.

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Davido's appearance coincided with the launch of FIFA Sound's largest music project to date, an 18-track official World Cup album, which features Davido on the track "No Place Like Home" alongside Nelly Furtado and Major Lazer.

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While fans expected an exciting musical performance, Davido's wardrobe choice also conveyed a powerful message, drawing global attention to the plight of the missing children and teachers in Oyo State.