For Shakira, the World Cup isn't just a tournament—it's the backdrop to some of the most defining moments of her life. The Colombian superstar's bond with global football started in 2010, when her anthem Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) became the official song of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. That hit didn't just top charts; it set in motion a chain of events that reshaped her personal world.
Shakira has often said that the 2010 tournament introduced her to the world of football in a deeply personal way. It was during that World Cup that she met Gerard Piqué, the Spanish defender who would become her partner and father to her two sons, Milan and Sasha. She affectionately calls them her "Waka kids," a nod to the song that, in her words, "brought them into my life." For Shakira, every World Cup since has been a reminder of that transformative period—a time when her career and family history intertwined on a global stage.
Raising the Next Generation of Creatives and Analysts
Now 11 and 9, Milan and Sasha are already showing signs of inheriting their parents' talents. Milan, the elder, has become something of a football statistician, impressing his mother with his deep knowledge of World Cup tactics and player stats. Sasha, meanwhile, leans toward the artistic side, offering sharp, creative feedback on Shakira's music and visuals. The singer values their input, calling them her "most demanding critics" and saying their honesty helps her keep evolving as an artist.
These moments of exchange are precious to Shakira, who balances her global tours with being a hands-on mom. She often shares glimpses of their family life on social media, from backyard football games to studio sessions where the boys weigh in on new tracks. It's a dynamic that feels both grounded and extraordinary—a reminder that even global icons find their sharpest feedback at the dinner table.
A Historic Return to the Final Stage
This summer, Shakira will add another chapter to her World Cup story. She's been chosen to headline the first-ever halftime show during the 2026 World Cup final, sharing the bill with Madonna and BTS. It's a milestone that cements her status as the unofficial queen of football anthems. The show is expected to draw hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide, and Shakira has already started auditioning dancers globally for the performance.
But her involvement goes beyond the spectacle. Shakira is also part of the official tournament song Dai Dai, a collaboration with Nigerian star Burna Boy. All royalties from the track will go to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which supports schooling for vulnerable children. For Shakira, this is personal. "Every champion started as a kid with a dream who refused to give up," she said in a recent interview. "I want every child to know that their circumstances don't define their future."
The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, making it a truly pan-American event. Shakira's presence feels especially fitting—she's a Colombian artist who has built a career bridging Latin rhythms with global pop, and her story resonates across the Americas. From Barranquilla to Miami, her journey mirrors that of millions of bicultural Latinos who navigate multiple worlds.
Shakira's connection to the World Cup is more than nostalgia. It's a thread that runs through her life—from the anthem that launched a new chapter, to the sons who carry that legacy, to a historic halftime show that will unite fans across continents. As she puts it, "The World Cup is where my life changed. And it keeps changing."
