The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially commenced on Thursday, June 11, in Mexico City, with the host nation facing South Africa in the tournament's opening match. Colombian music icon Shakira headlined the opening ceremony at Estadio Azteca, performing alongside Burna Boy as they debuted the official tournament anthem, 'Dai Dai'.
Controversy Over Shakira's Appearance
The 49-year-old singer's appearance quickly became a hot topic on social media, with many fans speculating that she had been replaced by a body double. According to The Mirror, Shakira wore a yellow outfit, white shorts, and platform sneakers, complemented by large dark sunglasses that covered a significant portion of her face. Her signature blonde hair had been dyed a light strawberry red, making her look markedly different from her usual style.
Fan Reactions on Social Media
Almost immediately after the performance, fans flooded X (formerly Twitter) with theories. One user wrote, "Is that Shakira? She doesn't look like Shakira? Am I tripping?" Several others referred to the performer as a 'doble', the Spanish word for double. "Esa no es Shakira… who dat?!?!" another user exclaimed. A Spanish-language comment read, "Don't tell me I'm the only one who thought that was Shakira's body double."
Additional comments included, "Why at the World Cup opening did they bring in a Shakira lookalike?" and "Am I the only one who thinks that's not Shakira? They got a double in there." One skeptical user added, "Real doubt. What if it's Shakira? Something tells me it's an impersonator."
Shakira's World Cup Legacy
Shakira is no stranger to the World Cup stage, having performed at the global tournament in 2006, 2010, and 2014. She famously debuted the iconic official anthem 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)' during the 2010 opening ceremony in South Africa, a performance that remains one of the most memorable in World Cup history.
This year's official song 'Dai Dai', which translates to 'come on, come on' in Italian slang, holds personal significance for the singer. "I always thought that I was more fragile or weaker than what life proved me to be," she explained, referencing lyrics such as "What broke you once made you strong."
"Behind every experience in life, there's always a lesson, and we have to be grateful for all those lessons, even for the people that leave you with scars," Shakira told PEOPLE. "Because they just make us better."
2026 FIFA World Cup Schedule
The tournament officially kicked off on Thursday, June 11, with Mexico facing South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The US team is scheduled to play against Paraguay at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Friday, June 12. The competition is expected to attract record global viewership throughout its duration.
