The internet is convinced Shakira was replaced by a body double at the 2026 World Cup. We review the footage to see how much truth there is to it.
On Thursday 11 June, the 2026 World Cup kicked off in Mexico City with a lavish opening ceremony. Stars such as J Balvin, Maná, Lila Downs and, of course, Shakira took to the stage; by now she has appeared at more World Cups than her ex, Gerard Piqué.
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Yet it was neither the fireworks nor the music that most caught people’s attention online.
A few hours after the show, theories began spreading on social media claiming that the person who performed the tournament’s official anthem, ‘Dai Dai’, was not actually the Colombian singer. One user even wrote: “That’s not Shakira. Look how she misses the step when she sings ‘Dai Dai’. That’s a double. Shakira lied to everyone.”
The evidence? According to those pushing the theory, the star looked different.
Shakira ran onto the pitch in a striking yellow outfit, white shorts, platform trainers and a huge pair of dark sunglasses. Many users also pointed out that her hair seemed to be a different shade from usual.
With part of her face hidden behind the glasses and a slightly different look from the one her followers are used to, speculation spread rapidly on X, TikTok and other platforms. Within hours, the internet was debating whether it was really Shakira… or a stand-in.
The evidence
So far, the singer’s team has not responded to the rumours. However, there is one detail that strongly suggests the person on the pitch really was Shakira herself.
The star has a small scar on her forehead that is visible in numerous photographs taken over the years. It can be seen, for example, in images distributed by the Associated Press from an event held in New York in May 2026.
And yes: the same mark is also visible in the images from the World Cup opening ceremony.
Of course, it is always possible that the alleged double had spent months studying Shakira’s every move, learning her choreographies, copying her hairstyle and reproducing even the tiniest facial scar in order to fool millions of viewers and dozens of high-definition cameras.
Or, alternatively, that it was Shakira.
We are inclined to go with the second option. After all, those hips don’t lie.
