Blab Sports
Shakira to Lead 2026 World Cup Final Halftime Show with Ugandas Ghetto Kids
Shakira will headline the halftime show of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The Colombian singer‑songwriter, who has long been associated with the tournament, will perform alongside Madonna and BTS and will feature the Ugandan dance troupe Ghetto Kids.
The announcement followed the release of Shakira’s official anthem for the 2026 edition, “Dai Dai (We’re Ready!)”, earlier this year. The track, a collaboration with Nigerian artist Burna Boy, opened the opening ceremony on June 11 at the Estadio Ciudad de México. Its music video already showcases footage of the Ghetto Kids, who have appeared in the song’s promotion.
Founded in 2014 by Dauda Kavuma in the Katwe slums of Kampala, the Ghetto Kids began as Triplets Ghetto Kids. The group has since graced international stages, including a video for French Montana’s “Unforgettable” and a performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Shakira’s invitation follows her history of spotlighting African talent on global platforms.
Shakira’s World Cup connection dates back to 2010, when “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” became the official soundtrack of the South African tournament. The song, which blends African melodies and features the South African band Freshlyground, remains one of the best‑selling World Cup songs ever recorded.
Born in Barranquilla in 1977, Shakira is the daughter of a Colombian mother and a father of Lebanese descent. Her music fuses Latin pop with Middle‑Eastern influences, a blend that has helped her become the best‑selling Latin female artist of all time. She has earned four Grammy Awards, fifteen Latin Grammys, and was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2026.
Beyond her musical achievements, Shakira has long pursued philanthropic work. She founded the Pies Descalzos Foundation, named after her 1995 album, to fund schools and nutrition programs for children in Colombia’s poorest communities. The foundation has been described as a “platform that pulls others onto it” rather than a publicity exercise.
In 2025, Shakira released the album Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, which won Best Latin Pop Album at that year’s Grammy Awards. The subsequent tour highlighted her commitment to family, with her sons Milan and Sasha performing alongside her in matching suits.
The 2026 World Cup, the tournament’s 23rd edition, will run from June 11 to July 19 in 16 cities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It is the first World Cup to feature 48 teams and to be hosted by three countries. The final will be held at MetLife Stadium, a venue that has hosted major sporting events including the Super Bowl.
Shakira’s role as halftime performer is part of FIFA’s broader strategy to blend music and sport. The 2026 final will feature a Super‑Bowl‑style show, with co‑headliners Madonna and BTS announced alongside Shakira. The event is expected to attract a global audience of over a billion viewers.
The inclusion of the Ghetto Kids underscores FIFA’s commitment to cultural representation. The troupe’s participation will give children from Uganda a platform on one of the world’s largest stages, echoing Shakira’s earlier efforts to bring African talent to international audiences.
The halftime show is scheduled to begin at 18:00 local time, opening with the anthem “Dai Dai.” The show will also feature a segment where Shakira will introduce the Ghetto Kids, who will perform a choreographed routine that blends traditional Ugandan dance with contemporary styles.
As the tournament approaches, fans and commentators are watching to see how the halftime show will integrate music, dance, and cultural storytelling. Shakira’s history with the World Cup, her philanthropic background, and her ability to bring diverse performers to the stage suggest that the 2026 final will be a memorable event.
The next major milestone for the tournament is the semi‑finals, scheduled for July 15 and 16. The winners of those matches will advance to the final, where Shakira’s halftime performance will serve as a highlight of the event.
World Cup organizers have confirmed that the halftime show will be broadcast worldwide, with a portion of ticket sales directed toward educational initiatives in host countries. The event is expected to reinforce FIFA’s focus on using sport as a vehicle for social impact.
In summary, Shakira’s role as halftime headliner for the 2026 World Cup final, coupled with the participation of Uganda’s Ghetto Kids, reflects a blend of musical heritage, cultural inclusion, and philanthropic intent that has defined her career for more than a decade.
The announcement followed the release of Shakira’s official anthem for the 2026 edition, “Dai Dai (We’re Ready!)”, earlier this year. The track, a collaboration with Nigerian artist Burna Boy, opened the opening ceremony on June 11 at the Estadio Ciudad de México. Its music video already showcases footage of the Ghetto Kids, who have appeared in the song’s promotion.
Founded in 2014 by Dauda Kavuma in the Katwe slums of Kampala, the Ghetto Kids began as Triplets Ghetto Kids. The group has since graced international stages, including a video for French Montana’s “Unforgettable” and a performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Shakira’s invitation follows her history of spotlighting African talent on global platforms.
Shakira’s World Cup connection dates back to 2010, when “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” became the official soundtrack of the South African tournament. The song, which blends African melodies and features the South African band Freshlyground, remains one of the best‑selling World Cup songs ever recorded.
Born in Barranquilla in 1977, Shakira is the daughter of a Colombian mother and a father of Lebanese descent. Her music fuses Latin pop with Middle‑Eastern influences, a blend that has helped her become the best‑selling Latin female artist of all time. She has earned four Grammy Awards, fifteen Latin Grammys, and was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2026.
Beyond her musical achievements, Shakira has long pursued philanthropic work. She founded the Pies Descalzos Foundation, named after her 1995 album, to fund schools and nutrition programs for children in Colombia’s poorest communities. The foundation has been described as a “platform that pulls others onto it” rather than a publicity exercise.
In 2025, Shakira released the album Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, which won Best Latin Pop Album at that year’s Grammy Awards. The subsequent tour highlighted her commitment to family, with her sons Milan and Sasha performing alongside her in matching suits.
The 2026 World Cup, the tournament’s 23rd edition, will run from June 11 to July 19 in 16 cities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It is the first World Cup to feature 48 teams and to be hosted by three countries. The final will be held at MetLife Stadium, a venue that has hosted major sporting events including the Super Bowl.
Shakira’s role as halftime performer is part of FIFA’s broader strategy to blend music and sport. The 2026 final will feature a Super‑Bowl‑style show, with co‑headliners Madonna and BTS announced alongside Shakira. The event is expected to attract a global audience of over a billion viewers.
The inclusion of the Ghetto Kids underscores FIFA’s commitment to cultural representation. The troupe’s participation will give children from Uganda a platform on one of the world’s largest stages, echoing Shakira’s earlier efforts to bring African talent to international audiences.
The halftime show is scheduled to begin at 18:00 local time, opening with the anthem “Dai Dai.” The show will also feature a segment where Shakira will introduce the Ghetto Kids, who will perform a choreographed routine that blends traditional Ugandan dance with contemporary styles.
As the tournament approaches, fans and commentators are watching to see how the halftime show will integrate music, dance, and cultural storytelling. Shakira’s history with the World Cup, her philanthropic background, and her ability to bring diverse performers to the stage suggest that the 2026 final will be a memorable event.
The next major milestone for the tournament is the semi‑finals, scheduled for July 15 and 16. The winners of those matches will advance to the final, where Shakira’s halftime performance will serve as a highlight of the event.
World Cup organizers have confirmed that the halftime show will be broadcast worldwide, with a portion of ticket sales directed toward educational initiatives in host countries. The event is expected to reinforce FIFA’s focus on using sport as a vehicle for social impact.
In summary, Shakira’s role as halftime headliner for the 2026 World Cup final, coupled with the participation of Uganda’s Ghetto Kids, reflects a blend of musical heritage, cultural inclusion, and philanthropic intent that has defined her career for more than a decade.
