Fox's 9-word apology as they air World Cup ceremony with over an hour delay
Fox's 9-word apology as they air World Cup ceremony with over an hour delay
Tatiana Krisztina & Angelica Cheyenne & Julianna SalinasThu, June 11, 2026 at 8:56 PM UTC
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The World Cup is about to kick off -Credit:Michael Yanow/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (aol_the_mirror_191)
Pop star Shakira's opening ceremony performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup definitely set the tone for the beloved sports event. However, fans watching in the US had to wait over an hour to watch.
Before this year's World Cup, the 49-year-old 'Whenever, Wherever' singer performed at the opening ceremony for the FIFA World Cup in 2010. Since 2010, Shakira has returned to the World Cup stages in some capacity, whether by performing in 2014 or by participating in official FIFA music projects. Amongst all the entertainers who have created official songs for the World Cup, Shakira is considered to have one of the most popular World Cup songs of all time, with her 2010 record "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)," featuring South African band Freshlyground.
When Shakira, who had previously split fromGerard Piqué, took the World Cup stage in 2010 to perform the song, she sparked a frenzy, especially since the ceremony was held in South Africa that year. It comes after 'Fake Shakira' theories went viral as fans claim they spotted a 'body double' during her World Cup performance.
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But during this year's Fox broadcast, one announcer said, "It's a little late, but better late than never," before finally airing the opening ceremony. However, Shakira's performance never aired on the US network.
One viewer noticed and took to X, where they wrote, "Shakira is playing as the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony is going on right now, and FOX is just.....not showing it for some reason?" as another echoed, "Seems FOX has decided to completely punt on the World Cup opening ceremony, for some reason. It's being shown on Telemundo."
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Shakira performed at the World Cup -Credit:AFP via Getty Images (aol_the_mirror_191)
"Absolute f-----g s--t show. If you're in America and you were waiting for the World Cup Opening ceremony on FOX its not there. It's only on Telemundo," a third added.
The World Cup holds much significance for the Grammy-winner, as she met her famous soccer player ex, Gerard, with whom she shares two children, Milan and Sasha, and who she separated from in 2022, at the 2010 tournament.
Also, her strong connection to soccer greatly strengthened her bond with the World Cup. Shakira previously told PEOPLE, "I have this connection with [soccer] that seems unbreakable.
Shakira's performed the official 2026 World Cup song -Credit:AFP via Getty Images (aol_the_mirror_191)
"That's why I call my kids the Waka kids; I think they were born because of that song. That song took me to the World Cup, the World Cup had an important impact on my life, and they were born - the best thing that has happened to me," she further explained to the news outlet.
She then added, "Then in 2014, I was pregnant with Sasha, with my little one, and all of my fans, they saw me perform, and they're like, 'Shakira's pregnant.' And I was like a month pregnant-I was like two months maximum, but they know me so well."
Milan and Sasha seem to be following in their parents' footsteps, as each has demonstrated a strong passion for both athletics and music.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
