Shakira's performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony sparked widespread speculation online, with some fans claiming the singer had been replaced by a body double
The 2026 FIFA World Cup got underway in spectacular fashion on Thursday, 11 June, as Mexico opened the tournament against South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. But while football was meant to be the main attraction, it was Shakira's appearance during the opening ceremony that quickly became one of the biggest talking points online.
Within minutes of her performance, social media users were debating a question few expected to hear at a World Cup: was the woman on stage actually Shakira?
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Shakira stepped onto the pitch wearing a bright yellow outfit paired with white shorts and platform trainers. She also sported oversized dark sunglasses and a noticeably different hair colour, with her trademark blonde locks appearing closer to a light strawberry-red shade.
For many viewers, the combination was enough to spark confusion.
With her eyes hidden behind large sunglasses and her appearance looking slightly different from what fans are used to seeing, speculation began spreading rapidly across X.
Social media convinced a body double was performing
As clips of the performance circulated online, fans flooded social media with theories that a stand-in may have taken Shakira's place.
One viewer questioned what they were seeing, writing: "Is that Shakira? She doesn't look like Shakira? Am I tripping?"
Others went even further, referring to the performer as a "doble", the Spanish word for a double or lookalike.
Another user posted: "Don't tell me I'm the only one who thought that was Shakira's body double."
Some fans insisted that her appearance was not the only thing that seemed unusual.
"That ain't Shakira, faces can fool us but hips don't lie," wrote one sceptic.
Another added: "It was noticeable that it wasn't her. She danced worse than Pinocchio."
The theory continued gaining traction as more viewers joined the discussion.
"HAHA why at the World Cup opening did they bring in a Shakira lookalike?" one person joked.
Another asked: "Am I the only one who thinks that's not @shakira?? They got a double in thereee."
One particularly doubtful fan wrote: "Real doubt. What if it's Shakira? Something tells me it's an impersonator."
Not everyone was buying the conspiracy
While the body-double theory gathered momentum, plenty of fans were quick to dismiss the claims.
Supporters argued that Shakira's distinctive stage presence and dance moves were impossible to imitate.
"There's only one person who dances just like Shakira, and it's Shakira! Don't mess around... It's her," one fan responded.
Many users also argued that people look different when they age.
Shakira's long history with the World Cup
The singer's connection with the FIFA World Cup goes back nearly two decades.
She previously performed at the tournament in 2006, 2010 and 2014, making her one of the artists most closely associated with football's biggest event.
Her most memorable World Cup moment came in 2010 when she introduced Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) at the opening ceremony in South Africa. The song went on to become one of the most recognisable World Cup anthems ever released.
The story behind Dai Dai
For the 2026 tournament, Shakira has returned with Dai Dai, the official World Cup song performed alongside Burna Boy.
The title is an Italian slang expression that roughly means "come on, come on", fitting neatly with the tournament's energetic atmosphere.
Speaking about the track, Shakira said she felt a personal connection to its message. She pointed to lyrics such as "What broke you once made you strong" as particularly meaningful.
Reflecting on the line, she explained: "I always thought that I was more fragile or weaker than what life proved me to be."
World Cup action continues
The tournament officially began on 11 June with hosts Mexico facing South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Attention now turns to the United States, who are set to play Paraguay at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Friday, 12 June.
Published: 12 Jun 2026, 08:33 am IST
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