The 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup Final halftime show was a spectacle for the ages, but one performer owned the moment: Shakira. At 49, the Colombian pop icon took the field at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday and delivered a performance that had fans and insiders buzzing—not just for her energy, but for the perfect trolling of her ex, Spanish soccer legend Gerard Piqué.
With the score still 0-0 between Argentina and Spain after 45 minutes, FIFA rolled out a 20-minute halftime extravaganza that included Justin Bieber, Madonna, and even Ted Lasso. But it was Shakira who truly stole the spotlight. Her appearance was a masterstroke of timing, given her 11-year relationship with Piqué, who won the World Cup with Spain in 2010. Sixteen years later, it was his ex-girlfriend commanding the global stage while his national team fought for another title.
NFL insider Josina Anderson captured the sentiment perfectly on social media, writing, “Shakira letting her ex-husband know she’s at the World Cup, & he is not.” The post went viral, and fans quickly piled on with their own reactions. “Shakira SLAYED. Perfect World Cup,” one fan wrote. Another added, “Shakira really the Messi of performers man no way she’s 50 and looks this good.”
The performance wasn’t just about revenge—it was a showcase of Shakira’s enduring star power. From her iconic hip movements to her electric stage presence, she reminded everyone why she’s been a global sensation for over two decades. Fans joked about her agelessness, with one asking, “Is Shakira to the World Cup what Mariah Carey is to Christmas?” Another quipped, “I am still amazed by the total unwillingness of Shakira’s hips to engage in falsehood.”
The halftime show itself drew comparisons to the Super Bowl, with many fans declaring it a winner. “Madonna ate age 70, the Korean Backstreet boys, Justin Bieber and Shakira, Ted Lasso… FIFA killed it with this halftime show!” one fan exclaimed. The production was a bold statement from FIFA, blending music, pop culture, and sports in a way that some argue crushes the Super Bowl halftime show.
But not everything about the World Cup Final weekend has been smooth. The event has been marred by hours-long lines and fan chaos, with many blaming FIFA for poor organization. And earlier in the day, Jennifer Hudson’s national anthem performance drew heated backlash from some viewers. Yet, for a few minutes during halftime, all that drama faded away as Shakira owned the moment.
As the second half kicked off, fans hoped the game would live up to the spectacle they had just witnessed. Whether Argentina or Spain lifts the trophy, one thing is certain: Shakira’s halftime show will be remembered as a defining moment of the 2026 World Cup—and a sweet victory in the battle of exes.
