Will Shakira be replaced by a lookalike at the 2026 World Cup? The rumor that's stirring up social media

The opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup, held Thursday in Mexico City, offered a highly anticipated show, featuring performances by Shakira and Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, better known as Burna Boy. The two artists performed Come on come onThe official title of the tournament was announced at an event also marked by the presence of José Álvaro Osorio Balvin, aka J Balvin, Belinda Peregrín Schüll, Ana Lila Downs Sánchez, and several other artists announced by FIFA. However, just minutes after Shakira's performance, a controversy erupted on social media. Many internet users claimed that the Colombian singer might not have actually been on stage. According to them, the woman who appeared on screen didn't entirely resemble the star.

A face deemed “different” by some internet users

The first element that fueled the rumor concerned Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll's appearance. Internet users felt her features seemed unusual, particularly her nose, mouth, cheeks, and overall facial expression. The television production was also criticized. Several viewers noticed that Shakira didn't always appear in close-up, in sharp, sustained shots. The sequences were sometimes short, distant, or filmed with rapid movement.

A choreography deemed less “Shakirean”

Another argument put forward by some fans is her stage presence. Some comments suggested that Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll's way of moving, particularly her hip movements and stage energy, did not entirely match her most famous performances.

The suspicion of lip-syncing reignites speculation.

As is often the case during major sporting events, the issue of lip-syncing resurfaced in discussions. Some internet users mentioned a pre-recorded voice or a partially synchronized performance, a practice regularly used in international ceremonies to avoid live technical problems.

At this stage, there is no solid material evidence to suggest that a body double or lookalike replaced Shakira at the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony, even though in some shots the singer appears unrecognizable, hence the doubts of some…