Shakira shines during historic FIFA World Cup final halftime show with Burna Boy
By Katemarthason Okudo, July 20, 2026Shakira has once again proved why she remains one of football’s most recognised performers after delivering an energetic performance alongside Nigerian superstar Burna Boy during the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show.
The Colombian superstar performed Dai Dai, the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, July 19, 2026. The performance came during the final between Spain and Argentina, marking the first time FIFA introduced a Super Bowl-style halftime entertainment show at a World Cup final.
Shakira commands the stage
From the moment she stepped onto the stage, Shakira captured the attention of the packed stadium. Dressed in a shimmering pink mixed with gold outfit that reflected the bright stadium lights, she confidently opened the performance with her signature dance moves before launching into the song.
The performance featured colourful lighting, giant LED screens and a large group of dancers that included the Ghetto kids from Uganda, who moved in sync with the music, creating a vibrant atmosphere that matched the occasion. Throughout the performance, Shakira effortlessly balanced singing and dancing, showcasing the stage presence that has made her one of football’s most recognisable performers over the years.
Moments later, Burna Boy joined her on stage, adding his Afro-fusion style to the performance. His smooth vocals blended well with Shakira’s Latin pop sound, creating a mix of musical styles that reflected the global nature of the tournament.
Although the halftime show lasted only 11 minutes and featured several international artists, Shakira and Burna Boy made the most of their time on stage, with many fans praising their chemistry and energy.
Fans react to the performance
The performance quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the evening, with fans sharing their reactions across social media.
Many praised Shakira for maintaining her energy throughout the performance and for once again delivering a memorable World Cup appearance. Others applauded Burna Boy for complementing the performance with his calm stage presence and distinctive vocals.
While some viewers felt the halftime show was too short because of the number of performers involved, many agreed that the duo’s performance stood out among the night’s entertainment.
Shakira’s long connection with the World Cup
The performance added another memorable chapter to Shakira’s history with the FIFA World Cup.
The singer first became closely associated with the tournament in 2010 after releasing Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), which remains one of the most successful World Cup songs ever recorded. She later returned with La La La (Brazil 2014) before taking centre stage once again in 2026 with Dai Dai.
Speaking about the official World Cup anthem earlier this year, Shakira described it as a celebration of unity through music and football.
“Football and music have the power to bring people together beyond borders. That is what this song represents,” she said.
The halftime performance came before Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time to lift the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy, bringing the tournament to a close with a blend of world-class football and global entertainment.