In case you’ve ever wondered which World Cup Shakira sang, ManoKick is here to set the record straight. The Colombian superstar has been involved with FIFA World Cups three times—each performance big, bold, and unforgettable. Let’s wind back through the tournaments, the songs, and the moments that made them so special.
Shakira’s first World Cup moment: Germany 2006
In the 2006 FIFA World Cup (hosted in Germany), Shakira performed a special version of her hit “Hips Don’t Lie” / “Bamboo” at the closing ceremony of the tournament. It wasn’t the official World Cup anthem that year, but her mix—*Hips Don’t Lie – Bamboo (2006 World Cup Mix)*—became iconic.
Her performance helped cement her status as more than just a pop star for football fans. The energy, the rhythm, the spectacle—this was Shakira owning the moment.
Shakira’s official anthem: World Cup South Africa 2010
This is the one most people mean when they ask which World Cup Shakira sang because it was the official song.
For the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, sheleased “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)”, featuring the South African band Freshlyground. It was the official anthem for the tournament.
She sang it live at both the opening ceremony (June 10, 2010) and the closing ceremony (July 11, 2010). The song immediately became a global hit: catchy, uplifting, full of cultural celebration and football spirit.
Another anthem moment: Brazil 2014
Shakira didn’t stop there. She returned for the next World Cup with another powerful entry.
In the 2014 FIFA World Cup held in Brazil, she released “La La La (Brazil 2014)”, a reworked version of her song “Dare (La La La)”, featuring Brazilian artist Carlinhos Brown. While it was not the main official anthem (that honor went to “We Are One (Ole Ola)” by Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez & Claudia Leitte), hers was a theme song and very present in the World Cup universe—closing ceremony, media, and celebrations.
Why these moments matter
Each song came with massive exposure: live performances in front of huge global audiences, emotional resonance with fans, and songs that became part of the soundtrack of those tournaments.
“Waka Waka” especially stands out—its mix of African rhythms, multilingual lyrics, and universal message of unity made it more than just a sports anthem; it became a cultural touchstone.
Conclusion
If you’re wondering which World Cup Shakira sang, the biggest answer is 2010 in South Africa—that’s the year her song Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) was the official anthem of the World Cup. But don’t forget her strong contributions in 2006 and 2014, too—each marked by her energy, her voice, and her ability to capture what the world loves about football.
Curious about the lyrics, chart stats, or how these songs compared to other World Cup anthems? Let ManoKick dig into them next—just ask!
