Shakira and the World Cup: Two Decades of Making Global Football History

Twenty years ago, Shakira turned the World Cup final into an unforgettable global party. In 2026, she returned to prove that football’s biggest stage still knows her name.

Back in 2006, Shakira walked onto the field in Berlin before the historic final between Italy and France. Alongside Wyclef Jean, she delivered the iconic Bamboo version of Hips Don’t Lie, filling the stadium with electric rhythm, vibrant color, and the signature dance moves that defined her global stardom. It immediately became one of those legendary World Cup moments that fans remembered long after the trophy was lifted.

Her connection to the sport only deepened from there. She returned for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with the timeless anthem Waka Waka, performed again during the 2014 tournament in Brazil, and continued building a musical legacy practically inseparable from the beautiful game.

Twenty years after that magical night in Berlin, she made history once more. In July 2026, Shakira helped headline the first-official World Cup Final halftime show at New York New Jersey Stadium. Joining a star-studded lineup alongside Madonna, BTS, and Justin Bieber, Shakira teamed up with Burna Boy to perform Dai Dai, the official song of the 2026 tournament.

Dancers flooded the field as she brought back the captivating energy and stage presence that fans first fell in love with two decades earlier. Shakira did not simply perform songs attached to a tournament; she became the soundtrack to how an entire generation remembers football history. From Berlin to South Africa and into 2026, her legacy remains unrivaled.