Shakira’s performance at the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City sparked an unexpected wave of conspiracy theories after some viewers became convinced the woman onstage wasn’t actually the Colombian superstar.
Keep reading to learn more.
49-year-old Shakira kicked off the tournament at the iconic Estadio Azteca on June 11, performing the official World Cup anthem, Dai Dai, alongside Nigerian star Burna Boy and hundreds of dancers. Dressed in a neon yellow bodysuit and white miniskirt, Shakira delivered an energetic set—but social media quickly became distracted by something else entirely.
Some viewers questioned whether the woman performing was really Shakira, with several pointing to her appearance, height, and dancing as supposed evidence that an impersonator had taken her place.
“This person is NOT @shakira” one person wrote. “Come on, please, someone confirm that this was Shakira because she didn’t look like it” another person wrote.
The bizarre theory soon gained traction, with some users claiming the woman onstage was actually Venezuelan impersonator Rebeca Maiellano, better known online as Shakibecca, who has amassed more than 600,000 Instagram followers thanks to her resemblance to the singer.
Others accepted that it was indeed Shakira, but speculated that cosmetic procedures or facial changes had altered her appearance.
“Botox doesn’t swell… it’s the fillers…” one person wrote. “She had something done to her face and it’s still swollen, and she also has something different in her teeth and mouth. On her IG in a video from a few days ago, she looks the same, she doesn’t seem like herself, but it is her,” another added.
However, Shakira’s fans quickly pushed back against the claims, ridiculing the idea that FIFA would replace one of the biggest stars in the world with an impersonator.
“Don’t be so ridiculous! YOU’RE GOING TOO FAR How could it not be her? We’ve seen her everywhere over the last year. It’s not like she’d been missing. There really are stupid and harmful people out there, with nothing to contribute to this world,” one X user wrote.
Some suggested the singer simply looked different because of her hairstyle and glasses, while others pointed to footage from rehearsals at Estadio Azteca that Shakira herself had posted to Instagram the day before the ceremony.
In the video, the Hips Don’t Lie singer could be seen practicing in a black crop top and leggings. “It’s been a non-stop rehearsal week for us. We are ready!! Can’t wait to see you all tomorrow,” she wrote.
Another fan even shared side-by-side photos highlighting the small scar on Shakira’s forehead, insisting it proved the performer was unquestionably the real deal.
“Shakira has a small vertical cleft between her eyebrows that can be seen in some photos, yes, it’s something that many fans have known about for years. Depending on the lighting, the makeup, and the facial expressions, it can appear more or less pronounced,” one user pointed out.
Mexico is co-hosting the 2026 World Cup alongside the United States and Canada. The opening festivities also featured performances from J Balvin and South African singer Tyla.
Meanwhile, Canada’s ceremony was headlined by Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette, while Katy Perry and Future are set to perform in the United States before the Americans face Paraguay.
Shakira’s involvement with FIFA stretches back more than a decade. She famously performed Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and she is expected to headline a Super Bowl-style halftime show at the tournament final on July 19 alongside Madonna and K-pop group BTS.
Speaking to People magazine earlier this month, Shakira said the lyric “what broke you once made you strong” from Dai Dai resonated deeply with her journey both professionally and personally.
What do you think about the confusion surrounding whether it was Shakira at the performance? Let us know in the comments section on Facebook.
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