Salma Hayek, Ejae, Tyla, Shakira, Burna Boy And J Balvin Open FIFA World Cup 2026 In Style
The FIFA World Cup 2026 got underway in Mexico with an opening ceremony that delivered exactly what these occasions are designed to provide: music, colour and a celebration of the tournament’s global reach.
As one of the three host nations, Mexico staged the first of three opening ceremonies, with the United States and Canada set to present their own festivities as the tournament progresses.
Red Leads The Way
Leading the proceedings was World Cup Ambassador Salma Hayek, who presented the Parade of Nations in a custom Gucci red suit styled with a printed Gucci Flora shirt. The vibrant colour did much of the heavy lifting here. While I wasn’t entirely convinced by the tailoring, especially considering this was a custom creation, the rich scarlet tone and patterned shirt ensured she stood out against the sea of bold colours in the stadium. Boucheron jewels completed her look.
Wearing The Flag
South African singer Tyla also played a key role in the ceremony, taking to the stage as a representative of the visiting team to perform the South African national anthem. For the occasion, she wore a custom Ellie Misner dress featuring panels of blue, green, red, white, black and yellow, echoing the colours of the South African flag.
The sleek silhouette kept the focus on the symbolism of the design, making it a fitting choice for a moment centred on national pride.
Hanbok Meets World Cup
South Korean singer Ejae joined Andrea Bocelli to perform the official 2026 FIFA World Cup theme song, DNA, wearing a custom LEJE gown that proved there was more to the look than first met the eye.
The vivid cobalt-blue design drew on traditional Hanbok elements and incorporated symbolic lotus imagery, while the sculptural silhouette and white floral appliqués delivered the kind of visual impact an opening ceremony demands. Ahead of South Korea’s opening match against the Czech Republic, the look served as a stylish representation of her country on one of sport’s biggest stages.
FIFA’s Favourite Headliner
Then came Shakira, because there seems to be an unwritten FIFA rule that no World Cup opening ceremony is complete without her.
After performing Hips Don’t Lie – Bamboo at Germany 2006, Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) at South Africa 2010 and La La La at Brazil 2014, the Colombian superstar returned for 2026 with Dai Dai, alongside Burna Boy.
For the performance, Shakira wore a bespoke Off-White™ look developed in collaboration with her longtime stylist Nicolas Bru. Drawing inspiration from football aesthetics, the neon-yellow bodysuit combined sporty references with the high-energy performance wear that has become synonymous with the singer’s stage wardrobe. The look was clearly designed with movement in mind, and it came alive during the choreography.
A Symbolic Choice
Burna Boy opted for a Campillo Fall 2026 denim look featuring silver eagle embellishments handmade in Mexico City by local artisans.
The decision felt particularly appropriate for the occasion, as the eagle is one of Mexico’s most enduring national symbols, connecting the Nigerian artist to the host nation through craftsmanship rather than relying on more obvious references. The oversized silhouette also sat comfortably within Burna Boy’s established style, making it feel authentic rather than ceremonial.
Chavarria Scores Again
J Balvin wore Willy Chavarria. The combination of the vivid orange shirt, pale-yellow tie and loose mint-green trousers stopped just short of fully referencing the colours of the Mexican flag, but the connection was unmistakable. More importantly, the proportions and attitude felt completely aligned with both Balvin’s personal style and Chavarria’s signature approach, even if I do feel that the trousers are way too long.
The timing was particularly notable given that Willy Chavarria’s relationship with football continues to grow. Earlier this week, the designer announced the launch of his new adidas World Cup collection through his AI-powered storefront, further cementing his place at the intersection of sport, culture and fashion.
As opening ceremonies go, this one delivered a little bit of everything: national pride, global music stars and a reminder that the World Cup remains one of the few events capable of bringing together so many different cultures on one stage.
I hope the follow ceremonies can live up to this one.
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