Shakira made history by becoming the first and only artist to perform at four separate FIFA World Cups – but some fans were left convinced she was 'replaced' by a body double during her World Cup 2026 opening ceremony performance.
Shakira headlined the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday (June 11). The 49-year-old superstar, hailing from Barranquilla, Colombia, delivered the debut live performance of 'Dai Dai' ('Come on, come on'), an official 2026 World Cup anthem that masterfully fuses pop, reggaeton, and Afrobeats. She was joined on stage by Nigerian sensation Burna Boy. The pair wrapped up their electrifying set with a coordinated chant of 'Dale, allez, let's go!'.
Sporting a dazzling yellow ensemble and futuristic sunglasses, she showcased her trademark hip-swaying moves alongside an enormous troupe of dancers, while a colossal golden World Cup trophy structure emerged from the pitch's centre. The stadium packed with over 80,000 supporters exploded into rapturous applause. Nevertheless, the broadcast sparked divided opinions online owing to audio quality problems. US audiences watching on Fox Sports were also left annoyed when the channel switched to studio analysis rather than showing her performance live.
Following the show, a peculiar rumour has been doing the rounds online suggesting Shakira was 'substituted by a body double' during her appearance. Several fans alleged the star appeared to 'stumble' during her routine and wasn't moving in her typical fashion. One person wrote: 'That's not Shakira. Watch how she messes up the step when she sings Dai Dai... That's a double.' While another added: 'Doesn't move her hips like Shakira.' As a third chimed in: 'It isn't her, nor her energy.'
However, other fans were quick to dismiss the theory. One person wrote: 'Hahaha, of course. Days and days rehearsing just to send in a body double. She's Shakira and she looks spectacular, and like anyone, she gets nervous and flubbed a step.' While another added: 'It's her, we just have to start admitting that she's no longer the same performer and doesn't look the same anymore.' A third chimed in: 'A lookalike with the same scar on his forehead?'
Shakira has spent two decades cementing herself as the quintessential voice of the World Cup. Back in 2006, she delivered a special 'Bamboo' version of her smash hit 'Hips Don't Lie' with Wyclef Jean at the closing ceremony in Germany, while for the 2010 tournament in South Africa, the star penned and performed 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)' - the best-selling and most legendary World Cup anthem of all time. For 2014's Brazil tournament, Shakira also wrapped up the competition at the Maracanã Stadium with a spirited performance of 'La La La (Brazil 2014)'. Beyond the music, Shakira's 2026 involvement includes an institutional advisory role to help FIFA broaden access to youth education and sport globally.
