Shakira performed her hit song “Hips Don’t Lie” during the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Mexico City.
The performance marks a significant intersection of global sports and pop culture, utilizing one of the world's most recognizable artists to launch the tournament. By headlining the event at Estadio Azteca, the Colombian singer-songwriter reinforced her continued relevance on the international stage.
The choice of “Hips Don’t Lie” for the ceremony highlights the song's enduring legacy. The track previously held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks [1]. Its original release had a massive impact on music charts, causing the album *Oral Fixation, Vol. 2* to jump from No. 98 to No. 6 on the Billboard 200 [2].
Now celebrating 20 years since its debut [3], the song served as the centerpiece for the celebration in Mexico. The performance was designed to energize the crowd at one of the most historic venues in football, the Estadio Azteca, as the world's premier soccer competition began.
While the event focused on the spectacle of the opening, the appearance sparked immediate conversation across social media. Some fans engaged in conspiracy theories regarding the use of a body double during the performance, though these claims remain unverified. Despite the online chatter, the event succeeded in its goal of providing a high-energy start to the 2026 tournament.
“Shakira performed her hit song “Hips Don’t Lie” during the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026”
Shakira's selection for the 2026 opening ceremony underscores FIFA's strategy of pairing global sporting events with legacy pop stars to ensure maximum viewership across diverse demographics. By utilizing a track with two decades of global recognition, the tournament organizers bridged the gap between nostalgia and current pop culture, cementing the event's reach in both North American and Latin American markets.
