football's biggest stages

Sofia Vergara shares a sweet Shakira moment from the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony


The highly anticipated performance marked Shakira’s fourth time creating an anthem connected to the tournament


Actress Sofia Vergara (L) presents singer Shakira with the Person of the Year Award onstage during the 12th annual Latin GRAMMY Awards at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on November 10, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Latin Recording Academy)© Kevin Winter
Shirley GomezSenior Writer
JUNE 15, 2026 10:54 AM EDT

The 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony delivered plenty of unforgettable moments, but one interaction between Sofia Vergara and Shakira is quickly becoming a fan favorite.

After the global tournament officially kicked off in Mexico City, Sofia Vergara took to social media to share a special moment she experienced while watching fellow Colombian superstar Shakira perform on one of football's biggest stages.

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Shakira headlined the opening ceremony alongside Nigerian music sensation Burna Boy, performing the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, "Dai Dai." The highly anticipated performance marked Shakira’s fourth time creating an anthem connected to the tournament.

As Shakira energized the packed stadium with her signature hip moves and powerful stage presence, a camera captured Sofia Vergara dancing along right in front of the stage. The actress appeared fully immersed in the performance.

While performing on stage, Shakira spotted Vergara in the audience. In a brief but memorable exchange, the singer quickly acknowledged her longtime friend before blowing her a kiss. Sofia immediately reacted with a huge smile, continuing to dance as the crowd cheered the sweet interaction.

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The moment quickly spread across social media, with fans celebrating the visible support between two of Colombia's most successful global stars. Shortly afterward, Vergara shared clips from the ceremony on her social platforms.

Shakira's appearance at the opening ceremony was one of the night's biggest highlights. Performing "Dai Dai" with Burna Boy, she helped launch the month-long tournament in front of a worldwide audience. The anthem has already become one of the defining songs of the competition, blending Latin and Afrobeats influences to reflect the tournament's global reach, as informed by The Guardian.

Shakira performs during the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony at Estadio Ciudad de México.© picture alliance
Shakira performs during the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony at Estadio Ciudad de México.

The performance also reinforced Shakira's unique connection to the World Cup. From "Waka Waka" in 2010 to "La La La" in 2014 and now "Dai Dai" in 2026, the Grammy-winning artist has become synonymous with football's biggest event. 

According to El País, many fans have even dubbed her the unofficial "Queen of the World Cup" because of her recurring role in the tournament's musical history. 

Shakira's World Cup Journey is Far from Over

The superstar is also set to co-headline the tournament's historic first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show during the World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The groundbreaking entertainment spectacle is expected to become one of the most-watched musical events of the year.  According to the press release shared with our magazine, the lineup was curated by Chris Martin from Coldplay. 

Madonna, Shakira and BTS will perform the first halftime show of the 2026 World Cup final on July 19.© YouTube Shakira
Madonna, Shakira and BTS will perform the first halftime show of the 2026 World Cup final on July 19.

The show will also feature Madonna and BTS, who represent a completely different generation and global fan base. Madonna remains one of the most influential pop icons in music history. BTS continues to dominate international pop culture with one of the largest fan communities in the world.