Shakira delivered one of the standout moments of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, taking center stage during the tournament’s first-ever halftime show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The Colombian singer energized the crowd with a performance of her anthem “Dai Dai,” accompanied by a large group of dancers.
Performing barefoot, she wore a vibrant yellow-and-pink bodysuit featuring bold cut-out details that highlighted her athletic physique as she moved across the stage.
Fans React to Shakira’s Age-Defying Appearance
While her performance drew widespread applause, much of the conversation online centered on Shakira’s appearance.
Viewers across social media expressed surprise after learning the global music star is 49 years old, with many commenting that she looked decades younger.
Numerous posts praised her youthful appearance, with fans describing her as someone who “doesn’t age” and expressing disbelief at her actual age.
Others speculated about her fitness and skincare routine, although such comments remained purely personal opinions shared online.
Mother of Two Continues to Impress Global Audiences
Shakira, who shares sons Milan and Sasha with former Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué, has remained one of Latin music’s most recognizable international performers.
Her energetic display at the World Cup reinforced her reputation for combining choreography, live vocals, and high-energy stage performances, despite nearly three decades in the global spotlight.
Star-Studded Halftime Show Marks World Cup First
The halftime entertainment represented a historic first for the FIFA World Cup final and featured an international lineup of major music stars.
Justin Bieber, Madonna, and BTS also performed during the halftime spectacle, creating one of the largest musical productions ever staged at football’s biggest event.
The performances were watched by an estimated global television audience reaching into the billions.
Closing Ceremony Brings Together Music and Entertainment Icons
Entertainment continued after the match with an elaborate closing ceremony featuring appearances and performances from Post Malone, Tom Cruise, Nicole Scherzinger, Jennifer Hudson, Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini, and internet personality IShowSpeed.
The celebration blended music, film, and popular culture as FIFA concluded the month-long tournament before the trophy presentation.
Celebrities Fill MetLife Stadium for Championship Match
The World Cup final attracted an array of high-profile guests from across sports and entertainment.
Among those attending were actors Tom Cruise, Timothée Chalamet, Matt Damon, Adrien Brody, and Javier Bardem, as well as entrepreneur Kylie Jenner, Olympic skiing champion Lindsey Vonn, and actress Julia Garner, who also participated in FIFA’s Gold Carpet festivities before kickoff.
Long Delays Frustrate Fans Before Kickoff
Despite the celebrations inside the stadium, many supporters experienced lengthy delays before entering MetLife Stadium.
Fans reported waiting several hours outside as officials dealt with heavy crowds, while technical issues affecting FIFA’s ticket-scanning system reportedly slowed the admission process even further.
Witnesses described growing frustration among spectators, media members, and security personnel as queues stretched for hours ahead of the championship match.
Tight Security Added to Entry Challenges
Security was significantly heightened because U.S. President Donald Trump attended the final.
Airport-style screening procedures were implemented for all spectators entering the 80,000-seat venue, adding additional processing time alongside the reported ticket-scanning issues.
FIFA had encouraged supporters to arrive up to four hours before kickoff to ensure they could enter in time for the pre-match closing ceremony, but many fans still faced substantial delays before reaching their seats.
Record Ticket Prices Reflect Massive Demand
Demand for the World Cup final reached unprecedented levels, with resale prices making the event one of the most expensive sporting spectacles in history.
On the morning of the match, the least expensive tickets listed on several resale platforms were reportedly priced at around $7,000, underscoring the extraordinary global interest in the showdown between Spain and Argentina.
Even with the logistical challenges before kickoff, the combination of elite football, star-studded entertainment, and celebrity attendance made the 2026 FIFA World Cup final one of the most watched and talked-about sporting events of the year.
