Shakira's performance at the opening ceremony of the sparked a viral controversy on social media: thousands of users claimed that the Colombian was not "the real one" and that she had sent a lookalike to sing in her place before more than 87,000 spectators at the stadium in Mexico City.
The controversy erupted on X (formerly Twitter) following Thursday's presentation, when comments like "This isn't Shakira, not even joking," "Am I the only one who thinks Shakira wasn't the real Shakira," and "That isn't Shakira" placed the artist's name among the top global search trends.
The elements that fueled the rumor were the use of dark glasses throughout the show, changes in hairstyle and makeup compared to recent appearances, and the lack of close-ups during the television broadcast.
Other users speculated that the singer may have lost weight or undergone some aesthetic treatment, and that she was wearing sneakers with a higher sole, which altered her usual height.
However, the theories were quickly debunked by fans of the artist, who pointed out a visible scar on the forehead of the person on stage, which matched that of the real singer, as evidence that it was indeed her.
A video of Burna Boy in the stadium hallways alongside Shakira without glasses also circulated, which helped to strongly debunk the rumors.
Shakira herself posted photos on her social media posing with other artists present at the event, showcasing her presence at the venue. So far, neither the artist nor her team have made an official statement regarding the controversy.
The Colombian artist performed “Dai Dai,” the official song of the tournament, alongside Burna Boy in a performance that featured a large group of dancers.
It was her fourth appearance at World Cup ceremonies, following Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, and Brazil 2014, making her the first artist to participate in both an opening and a closing ceremony of the World Cup.
The opening ceremony also featured Lila Downs, Maná, J Balvin, Danny Ocean, Los Ángeles Azules with Belinda, and Alejandro Fernández singing the Mexican national anthem.
After the show, Shakira congratulated Mexico on their 2-0 victory over South Africa in the opening match of Group A and sent a message of peace: “May this 2026 World Cup take place in peace and be a source of joy and unity for everyone in the world. And above all, may we remember our little champions who are waiting for opportunities, like education, so that they can succeed in life.”
100% of the royalties from "Dai Dai" are allocated to the FIFA-Global Citizen Education Fund, in line with the philanthropic work that Shakira has been committed to for years.
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