Shakira backs out of FIFA WC opening ceremony due to personal reasons

KARACHI: Shakira has stepped back from performing at the glittering opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar due to personal reasons. 

With the biggest football event of the year just around the corner, the famous ‘Waka Waka’ singer has changed her mind and decided to withdraw her name from the list of performers at Sunday’s opening ceremony, reported Spain’s Marca Magazine.

According to Marca, the claim about the Columbian singer’s purported withdrawal from the opening ceremony was made on the show El programa de Ana Rosa.

“It’s been confirmed to me that Shakira will not perform at the opening ceremony, but they won’t say if she will have another role throughout the World Cup,” said Adriana Dorronsoro quoted Spanish news outlet.

The report further added that Sandra Aladro, another contributor to the Telecinco program, also confirmed the development after speaking to Shakira’s entourage.

“They have confirmed that she won’t be performing,” Aladro said. “She was going to be a guest performer, now she will have to send a statement to explain everything.”

It is pertinent to mention here that the colourful opening ceremony of the magaevent will take place on November 20, ahead of the opening Group A match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador.

Shakira set the stage alight with her mythical ‘Waka Waka’ song in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and ever since she has been ruling football fans’ hearts all around the globe.

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