Fake Shakira At The FIFA World Cup? Shakira's Body Double Theory During Iconic Performance Explained

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off with a bang on June 11, 2026, at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium. The host country played South Africa in the very first match of the international soccer championship and started the tournament off with a 2-0 win. This year, Colombian superstar Shakira returned for the opening ceremony once again, setting the stadium alight with her electric debut of Dai Dai, the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside Nigerian star Burna Boy. Some viewers, however, were convinced that it wasn’t the real singer at all.

Why fans think FIFA used a 'Fake Shakira'

On Thursday, June 11, 2026, the global pop sensation graced the stage at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium, dressed in a bright yellow top, white shorts, platform sneakers, and oversized dark sunglasses. While her song, Dai Dai, surely left everyone in a frenzy, some viewers noticed something off about the 49-year-old's appearance.

PC: Telemundo

Almost immediately after the performance aired, social media platforms were flooded with comments from confused viewers who claimed the singer looked noticeably different. Adding to the mystery was her lighter strawberry-blonde hair color, which differed from the signature golden locks fans have associated with her for decades. Some skeptical viewers went further and suggested that FIFA may have hired a body double.

"Is that Shakira? She doesn't look like Shakira. Am I tripping?" one user posted on X. Another user chimed in, writing, "Don't tell me I'm the only one who thought that was Shakira's body double." A third user wrote, "That ain't Shakira, faces can fool us, but hips don't lie." Several Spanish-speaking viewers were also convinced that it was an impersonator and referred to the performer as a doble (double).

PC: X

Did FIFA really use a Shakira body double?

Despite the viral conspiracy theories making the rounds, there is no specific reason behind such claims, and these opinions remain speculative at best. There is no evidence whatsoever that FIFA used a body double. The performer on stage was indeed Shakira, who has spoken publicly about Dai Dai and her performance in multiple interviews leading up to the global tournament.

PC: Telemundo

Over the past few weeks, Shakira has been heavily involved in promoting this year's World Cup anthem and also participated in official FIFA promotional activities surrounding the World Cup launch. It was only that her updated hair color and sporty stage outfit made her look different from the glamorous image many fans are accustomed to seeing. Her fans, too, have defended the Waka Waka singer, saying that there's only one who can dance like Shakira, and it's definitely her.

PC: Associated Press

Shakira's long history with the World Cup

After two decades of seeing her deliver some of the most timeless football anthems, Shakira has become one of the artists closely associated with the FIFA World Cup. The global icon has graced the stage at multiple FIFA tournaments, including back-to-back performances at the 2006, 2010, and 2014 World Cups. Do we need to mention the 2010 anthem, Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), on its own? Even after more than 15 years, the song remains one of the most successful World Cup songs ever released and is still regarded as the gold standard for tournament anthems.

PC: YouTube

FIFA World Cup 2026 to feature celebrity performances

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