Lila Downs welcomed fans and players in Spanish, English, and the indigenous languages Mixtec and Nahuatl.
“People of the world, welcome to Mexico,” said Downs, who wore a white indigenous huipil with a lilac edge. “Mexico welcomes you with smiles from our heart, we are a nation of diversity, heritage and pride in ancestral lands where movement and ritual spirit endure.”
Downs, who is a singer-songwriter, was born in Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca. Her mother is Mixtec, and her father was American of Scottish descent. But her heart is green, white and red when it comes to the ball.
“It’s a great honour for me to represent my beautiful and diverse country,” Downs said in an interview with The AP. “Of course I’m going to root for Mexico’s team, Viva Mexico!”
MANA THRILLS FANS
Mana electrified the stadium with Oye Mi Amor surrounded by pre-Hispanic dancers who moved their head plumes to the rhythm of rock while tens of thousands of fans chanted.
The band, founded in 1986, has sold more than 40 million records.
Shortly before their performance, they announced that they will be touring in Latin America, including stops in Bogotá, Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires, and Mexico City.
FROM IZTAPALAPA TO THE WORLD CUP
The Mexican cumbia group Los Angeles Azules performed Por Ella with Belinda, one of the most danceable songs of FIFA’s official World Cup album.
The band, founded in the mid-70s by the Mejía Avante brothers, is originally from the district of Iztapalapa, a working-class area of Mexico City, so their battle cry is “From Iztapalapa to the world!”
J Balvin had a dynamic performance – he started driving a cardboard car with Que Calor and then he was accompanied by Ryan Castro for Una A La Vez before ending with I Like It, a hit he originally released with Cardi B and Bad Bunny.
The Colombian star has experience on world stages. In 2020, he participated in the Super Bowl halftime as a guest of Shakira and Jennifer Lopez.
Danny Ocean performed Partidazo – his collaboration for the FIFA album. Ocean was surrounded by dancers wearing a modern take on the traditional dresses of the Mexican state of Jalisco, modified to have hoodies on top.
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