Colombian singer Shakira will bring child dancers from Uganda to the halftime show of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, an event that will mark a historic moment for the tournament by featuring, for the first time ever, a Super Bowl-style halftime performance during the championship match.
The show will take place on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and will feature international stars such as Shakira, Madonna, and BTS on stage. The Colombian artist will perform “Dai Dai,” the official song of the 2026 World Cup, alongside Nigerian artist Burna Boy.
One of the most talked-about announcements is the participation of the Ugandan dance group Ghetto Kids, who were personally selected by Shakira after posting a video on social media dancing to “Dai Dai.”
Weeks earlier, the artist had launched a global challenge inviting children and teenagers from around the world to share choreography videos of the song on digital platforms. The initiative is part of an international campaign aimed at turning the halftime show into a multicultural and participatory celebration.
The Ugandan dancers became the first officially selected participants after going viral with an energetic choreography that caught the Colombian singer’s attention. According to social media posts, Shakira reacted to the video by writing: “I’m dying! Why are they so adorable? I need dancers like them. Do you want to come dance with me for the final?”
The children quickly responded: “Yes, we want to perform with you. It would be a dream come true for us, for Uganda, and for Africa.”
The Ghetto Kids: from the streets of Kampala to the 2026 World Cup final with Shakira
The group Ghetto Kids was founded in 2014 in Kampala, Uganda, as part of a foundation created by choreographer and philanthropist Dauda Kavuma. The project was designed to provide shelter, education, and artistic opportunities to vulnerable children through dance and music.
With the slogan “Transforming lives through dance,” the group became an international sensation after appearing in the video “Sitya Loss” by Ugandan singer Eddy Kenzo, a production that accumulated millions of views on YouTube and opened the doors to global stages.
Since then, the Ghetto Kids have appeared on programs such as Britain’s Got Talent, where they received the “golden buzzer,” while also performing at international sporting events and collaborating with artists such as French Montana, Chris Brown, and Wizkid.
Today, the group has accumulated more than 2.6 billion views across digital platforms and is considered one of Africa’s most influential children’s dance collectives.
Shakira aims for a multicultural and inclusive World Cup show
The participation of the Ugandan children also reflects the multicultural vision that Shakira wants to bring to the 2026 World Cup show. The singer has stated that the performance will celebrate cultural diversity and the power of music as a tool for global unity.
The contest remains open for children and young people from different countries who wish to participate by uploading videos of themselves dancing to “Dai Dai” on social media. The best entries could be selected to join the Colombian star during the final performance.
The event is also expected to have a massive global reach. The 2026 World Cup final is projected to attract more than 4 billion viewers worldwide, making it one of the most-watched television broadcasts in recent history.