What stands out is not just the scale of the show, but the message around it. “Toda Copa do Mundo é realmente mágica,” Shakira said in the report, framing the tournament as a shared moment rather than just a spectacle.
That matters because the World Cup has always been more than matches and medals. At its best, it is a meeting point for countries, communities and generations. If Shakira is being positioned as a central voice in 2026, it appears to be because organisers want culture and football to feel inseparable.
The report also says her new track “Dai Dai”, with Burna Boy, is tied to a charitable push, with 100% of royalties set to support the Global Citizen Education Fund.
Her quote is the key here: “É uma mensagem para toda criança que ouviu que seu sonho era grande demais.” That gives the song a football logic. The sport thrives on improbable journeys, and Shakira seems keen to connect that idea to children who need opportunity, belief and support.
Her bond with football did not start now. “Waka, Waka” became part of World Cup memory, and that history still gives her unusual credibility in this space.
The next step is to see how much of this reported plan is formalised as 2026 draws closer. If it comes together as described, the build-up to the tournament may be shaped as much by music, unity and outreach as by the teams on the pitch.