The symbolism behind Shakira’s World Cup 2026 performance outfit

Golden hr showed up early astatine nan World Cup.

Shakira took nan section astatine MetLife Stadium connected Sunday for nan tournament’s first-ever halftime show drenched successful nan lukewarm tones of a sunset — and covered successful much than 200,000 Swarovski crystals.

The Colombian superstar performed “Dai Dai,” nan charismatic World Cup 2026 anthem pinch Burna Boy, successful a civilization Roberto Cavalli look designed by nan house’s imaginative director, Fausto Puglisi.

The plunging lace-up bodysuit had heavy broadside cutouts, and her agelong skirt was made from strips of basking pinkish and yellowish chiffon that swished and swayed pinch nan activity of her hips. The crystals — hand-embroidered complete 120 hours crossed 2 weeks, according to Swarovski — sparkled successful nan stadium lights.

Puglisi told Vogue that Shakira requested nan sunset colour palette. He recovered his reply successful Mexico City’s La Condesa neighborhood, wherever a peculiar pinkish building pinch an orangish doorway and yellowish model frames caught his oculus during his travels.

“I wanted nan look to consciousness strong, joyful, and celebratory — thing that reflected nan power of nan capacity but besides honored nan value of nan occasion,” Shakira told nan outlet.

The outfit besides called backmost to nan singer’s looks for her performances astatine opening and closing ceremonies of nan 2010 World Cup successful South Africa, wherever she performed “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).”

The 2 looks — a neon harvest apical and silk-fringed skirt astatine nan closing ceremony, and a black-and-white tribal-print group astatine nan opening — were designed by Cavalli while its namesake designer still led nan house. The precocious designer died successful April 2024, and Puglisi has led nan location since 2020.

Shakira told Vogue this weekend’s look was meant to span nan 2 eras. “It’s a afloat circle infinitesimal — nan colors are akin too,” she said. “We are paying tribute to nan past and looking toward nan future.”

The vocalist performed nan bulk of her group barefoot earlier slipping connected coordinating pink-and-yellow booties and golden Swarovski sunglasses to rejoin nan shape alongside nan PS22 Chorus for nan show’s finale.

Her 34 backup dancers besides wore Roberto Cavalli, appearing successful 2 variations of nan aforesaid sunset palette: a crisscross harvest apical pinch a matching skirt and a sleeveless tee pinch baggy trousers.

The halftime show astatine nan Spain-Argentina final, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin for nan FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, besides included performances by Madonna, Justin Bieber and BTS, pinch conductor Gustavo Dudamel starring nan orchestra.