Shakira’s ‘unbreakable’ bond with the World Cup and her

The World Cup holds particular significance for Shakira, and the feeling is mutual. The 49-year-old performer sang the official anthem of the 2010 tournament, ‘Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),’ the place she first met soccer participant Gerard Piqué, whom she would ultimately wed.

Although the pair separated in 2022, they’ve two sons: Milan, 13, and Sasha, 11. As a result, the Whenever, Wherever artist will endlessly treasure the World Cup and its which means in her private journey.

This 12 months, Shakira is poised to make World Cup historical past as soon as again due to her increasing affect. This comes after the singer was acquitted in a tax fraud case.

“I have this connection with [soccer] that seems unbreakable,” she told PEOPLE.

“That’s why I call my kids the Waka kids; I think they were born because of that song. That song took me to the World Cup, the World Cup had an important impact in my life, and they were born – the best thing that has happened to me.”

She went on, “Then in 2014, I was pregnant with Sasha, with my little one, and all of my fans, they saw me perform, and they’re like, ‘Shakira‘s pregnant.’ And I was like a month pregnant-I was like two months maximum, but they know me so well.”

To the delight of her supporters, she revealed that her sons are already demonstrating strong enthusiasm for each athletics and music. “They both play instruments and sing, and the oldest one, he plays the drums, guitar, the bass, piano.

“But he is loopy about [soccer]. I’m loopy about sports activities, and he is a real soccer knowledgeable. He is aware of every statistic, every result of every game, the historical past of every participant. It’s completely spectacular.”

She added, “And then the infant may be very, very inventive, and he is like a visible artist, a graphic artist and also musical, very, very inventive.”

This year, Shakira is set to revive her World Cup legacy alongside Burna Boy for “Dai Dai,” the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. “Dai Dai,” an Italian slang phrase meaning “come on, come on,” is an emotive track whose message deeply connected with the artist.

Lyrics like “What broke you as soon as made you strong” particularly resonated with her. “I always thought that I used to be more fragile or weaker than what life proved me to be,” Shakira said.

On July 19, Shakira will share the stage with Madonna and BTS at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., headlining the first-ever World Cup halftime performance.

“Every World Cup is de facto magical, and I believe this one goes to be all about bringing people together in this very delicate second in time, socially and politically,” she said.

All proceeds from Dai Dai will benefit the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which grants children worldwide access to education and soccer.

Shakira noted, “It’s a message for every baby who’s been told that their dream is simply too big.”