Shakira's recent performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup halftime show marked a full-circle moment for one of her backup dancers, Shayna-Renee Wheatley. Wheatley, who had been a contestant on Shakira's reality competition series "Dancing With Myself" in 2022, shared on Instagram how the singer had personally encouraged her after the show's finale. "Shakira looked at me and said I could dance for her... or Beyonce one day," Wheatley recounted.
Four years after that conversation, Wheatley found herself performing alongside Shakira on one of the world's largest stages for the FIFA World Cup halftime show. Wheatley posted a clip of Shakira's encouraging words from 2022, followed by footage of them dancing together during the performance. "There are moments that remind you why you never stop believing," Wheatley wrote in her caption.
She described the experience as a reminder that "no dream, no word spoken over your life, and no season of waiting is ever wasted." Wheatley encouraged her followers to persevere in chasing seemingly impossible dreams, emphasizing the importance of continuous effort and belief. "Keep showing up. Keep preparing. Keep believing. What’s meant for you will find you exactly when it’s supposed to," she advised.
Shakira, 49, co-headlined the historic halftime show, performing her hit "Dai Dai" with Burna Boy. Spain ultimately defeated Argentina 1-0 in the match that followed the performance.
This was not Shakira's first appearance at a World Cup. She has performed at four of the last six tournaments, including songs like "Hips Don't Lie" in 2006, "Waka Waka" in 2010, and "La La La" in 2014. "Dai Dai" serves as the official anthem for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, with royalties supporting education for children in underserved communities. Shakira also met with Beyoncé at the event, sharing a photo of their embrace on Instagram.