Shakira Cements Her Legacy as the Queen of the FIFA World Cup Stage

USA:Global music icon Shakira has once again etched her name into football history after becoming the only artist to perform at four different FIFA World Cups, a remarkable achievement spanning two decades and four tournaments. Her latest appearance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup further strengthens her reputation as one of the most recognizable musical figures associated with the world's biggest sporting event.

The Colombian superstar first stepped onto the World Cup stage in Germany in 2006 when she performed a remix of her global hit song “Hips Don't Lie” during the tournament's closing ceremony in Berlin. The performance introduced millions of football fans to her energetic style and marked the beginning of a long and successful relationship with FIFA's flagship competition.

Her most memorable World Cup contribution came in 2010 when South Africa hosted the tournament. Shakira wrote and performed “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” the official anthem of the competition, and appeared at both the opening and closing ceremonies. The song became a worldwide sensation and remains one of the most successful World Cup songs ever produced, with billions of views across digital platforms.

Four years later, Shakira returned to football's grandest stage in Brazil, performing “La La (Brazil 2014)” alongside Brazilian musician Carlinhos Brown at the closing ceremony at the iconic Maracanã Stadium. The performance further solidified her place as one of FIFA's most trusted musical ambassadors.

After missing the tournaments in Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022, many fans wondered whether Shakira's World Cup journey had come to an end. However, the singer returned in spectacular fashion at the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico City, where she joined Nigerian superstar Burna Boy to perform “Dai Dai,” the official song of the tournament.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, FIFA announced that Shakira and Burna Boy would premiere the song during the opening ceremony at Mexico City's historic Estadio Azteca. FIFA described the performance as a celebration of football, music and culture that would unite fans from around the world.

The 2026 tournament is expected to add another chapter to Shakira's World Cup legacy, as she is reportedly scheduled to participate in the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show on July 19. The event is expected to bring together some of the biggest names in global entertainment for a groundbreaking spectacle at the tournament's conclusion.

Football fans and music lovers alike continue to associate Shakira with the World Cup experience, largely because of the enduring popularity of “Waka Waka.” Even sixteen years after its release, the song remains one of the most beloved football anthems ever created and is often regarded as the soundtrack of an unforgettable World Cup era.

At 49 years old, Shakira continues to command the world's attention with the same energy and charisma that made her a global star decades ago. With four World Cup appearances and countless unforgettable performances, she has established herself as the most enduring musical figure in FIFA World Cup history, a title that may remain unmatched for years to come.