Colombian Superstar Shakira Set for Historic FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show
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Colombian singer Shakira is set to deliver an unforgettable performance at the inaugural halftime show of the FIFA World Cup Final. Sharing the spotlight with global icons such as Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, and Coldplay, Shakira’s participation marks a significant moment in sporting entertainment history.
The highly anticipated 11-minute performance is curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and will be broadcast live from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19. Shakira expressed her enthusiasm during a recent interview on The Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill, highlighting the unique nature of this momentous occasion.
Reflecting on her past involvement, Shakira remarked, “I played at the inauguration, and now I’m playing at the final.” She indicated that she aims to create a performance distinct from her previous appearance at the tournament’s opening ceremony. As one of the featured performers, Shakira is embracing the challenge of bringing something fresh and captivating to the stage.
The announcement of Shakira’s involvement was made alongside news that Justin Bieber would also be joining the lineup. This news followed previous confirmations of Madonna and BTS as performers, rounding out a stellar group of artists for the World Cup show’s debut. With Chris Martin’s creative direction, the performance is expected to be both spectacular and memorable.
Shakira has already hinted at the unique scale of the show, which will be a ground-breaking moment in World Cup history. “It’s going to be a shared halftime show,” she mentioned, emphasising the collaborative nature of the event that features five celebrated artists. “Well, four amazing artists plus me,” she jokingly added.
While details of the specific performance remain in development, Shakira conveyed her eagerness to collaborate with her fellow artists. She voiced her hope that Martin would contribute vocally in addition to his behind-the-scenes role. “I really hope that Chris Martin is going to be singing too,” she stated, indicating her excitement to see how the performance will unfold.
The World Cup has consistently held a significant place in Shakira’s career. She first gained widespread acclaim with “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” the official anthem for the 2010 tournament. Since then, she has forged a deep and personal connection with football, noting, “I have this connection with [soccer] that seems unbreakable.”
Shakira believes that the upcoming tournament will carry a particularly important message. She expressed, “Every World Cup is really magical, and I think this one is going to be all about bringing people together in this very sensitive moment in time, socially and politically.” It is clear that she views this performance as more than just a musical event; it is an opportunity to unite fans across the globe.
In addition to her performance, Shakira is also celebrating the success of her latest World Cup anthem, “Dai Dai,” featuring Burna Boy. The song has recently enjoyed two weeks at the top of the Billboard Global Exclusive U.S. chart, making history as the first official FIFA World Cup anthem to achieve this feat. The song also reached an impressive No. 3 on the Billboard Global 200, powered by an impressive volume of streams and sales worldwide.
The first-ever halftime show at the FIFA World Cup Final is set to take place during the championship match on Sunday, July 19, with the kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. ET. With such a star-studded lineup and Shakira’s passion for the event, the performance promises to be a landmark moment in both football and music history. Fans across the globe are eagerly anticipating what is sure to be a historic spectacle.