Shakira Receives Love For Quitting World Cup Performance
By MLC on November 18, 2022 at 3:30 PM EST
Shakira will not reprise her “Waka Waka” to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The Colombian-native famously performed that song at the 2010 World Cup and happened to meet her now-ex-partner, Gerard Piqué, on the set of the music video.
The World Cup in Qatar is just around the corner, and Shakira withdrew from performing at the last minute.
Shakira Has Opted Out Of Performing At World Cup
November 20th marks the kickoff of the highly anticipated sporting event which takes place every four years.
The event typically features the world’s best artists, whose songs become classics when it comes to the World Cup…hence ‘Waka Waka.’
Qatar has VERY strict rules and regulations in place for the World Cup and in turn pushed away a lot of artists including Dua Lipa and Rod Stewart.
Shakira's ICONIC World Cup Song Is "Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)
Shakira has a lot going on in her personal life currently. She separated from her partner of nearly 12 years over the summer and a bitter custody battle ensued. It has since been resolved and she will move her two minor sons to Miami, FL. in early 2023.
In addition to a major breakup, the singer was hit with a massive tax fraud court case and her father’s health is declining.
According to “El programa de Ana Rosa,” Shakira changed her mind about performing days prior to the start of the World Cup.
"It's been confirmed to me that Shakira will not perform at the opening ceremony, but they won't say if she will have another role throughout the World Cup," Adriana Dorronsoro said on the program.
Another contributor to ‘El programa’ spoke to Shakira’s entourage and revealed, “They have confirmed that she won't be performing. She was going to be a guest performer, now she will have to send a statement to explain everything.”
As of the writing of this article, Shakira has YET to release a statement about her lack of participation at the World Cup.
Of course, many on Twitter had their qualms and fair share to say about it, but surprisingly she received a lot of love.
Shakira Receives A TON Of Love & Support For Her Decision
“We stand with her,” one person tweeted before adding, “She is right to do so, I believe that she resepcts human rights and we like everything is choice, I hope that the other artists who will perform will follow her in her choice.”
“It’s a good thing tho,” another simply commented.
One wrote, “I need everyone to understand that a World Cup with Shakira is like Christmas without Mariah.”
“Let’s normalize that Shakira is the voice of the #WorldCup as Mariah Carey is the voice of Christmas, right?”
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Coincidentally enough, Shakira’s ex, Piqué, recently announced his retirement from FC Barcelona and will NOT play in the World Cup.
Earlier this month, the Barcelona defender played his last game with Barca on November 5th.
He made the announcement on social media on November 3rd.
Piqué wrote, “It is the moment to end this stage of my life. Football has given me everything. Barcelona has given me everything. You, culers (Barcelona fans), have given me everything.”
