Shakira may be one of the most recognizable names in pop culture, but fans are only just realizing who her boyfriend is.

The Colombian megastar will be performing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony in Mexico City tonight (June 11), ahead of the clash between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa.

Whether she likes it or not, the artist will remain synonymous with soccer's biggest event, after her global hit 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)' became the official song of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and following her long-term relationship with Spanish soccer star Gerard Piqué.

Many argue that it is the best soccer-related song ever made, but Shakira is back with another song for this year's World Cup, titled 'Dai Dai', featuring afrobeats star Burna Boy.

She is also slated to appear in the World Cup final half-time show on July 19, alongside Madonna and BTS.

But as the 49-year-old is now back in the limelight, the public is only just realizing who her boyfriend is.

Shakira has been in a high-profile relationship without many knowing. Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation

Shakira's boyfriend and their 15-year age gap

A sense of intrigue was created when people realised that Shakira was reportedly dating actor Lucien Laviscount, who, at 34, is 15 years her junior.

The Brit is best known for portraying Alfie in the Netflix hit series Emily in Paris, which is one of the platform's most successful original series.

Shakira and Laviscount were first linked after the latter appeared in her music video for 'Punteria' in 2024, where they got up close and personal.

The singer would only confirm the relationship in early 2026 in a public appearance together, years after being seen eating dinner together in New York.

While they appeared on each other's social media accounts, Shakira only confirmed the whispers in February this year.

Despite appearing in public numerous times together, the 'Hips Don't Lie' singer cast doubt over their relationship in an interview with The Times in May.

"No romance for me for now. There's no space or time in my life for that. My plate is quite full. My kids are my priority, and my career," she claimed.

"Strangely enough, I'm in love with my career as I've never been in my life," Shakira stated, adding: "I'm enjoying my time alone as well."

Lucien Laviscount and Shakira made their relationship official in early 2026. Credit: Instagram/its_lucien

Shakira's past relationships

The Latin artist had a decade-long relationship with Antonio de la Rua, who is also her business manager.

He would sue the artist after their 2011 break-up for $250 million, after he left his career as a publicist to work with her.

But the Colombian artist's most well-known relationship was that with former Barcelona and Spain defender, Gerard Piqué, who was 10 years her junior.

The pair met while filming the music video for 'Waka Waka' and started dating in the months after it was released.

They never married, but the stars have two children together - sons Milan and Sasha.

Shakira and Piqué split up in 2022, following allegations of infidelity on Piqué's part, which prompted his ex-partner to release several diss tracks aimed at him.

She would later say that her responsibilities as a mom helped her through the struggles of a public breakup,

Delving into the details of the break-up to The Times, she admitted it was her "darkest moment," explaining: "I've been through so much pain, but it has made me perhaps in an unforeseen way a wiser person - or stronger, at least."

Despite rumors of Piqué being unfaithful and supposed diss tracks aimed at him, Shakira claimed there is no bad blood, telling the publication: "I will always have that gratitude in my heart for the father of my kids and [for] turning me into the mother that I am today."

Featured image credit: Patricia J. Garcinuno / Getty

Shakira has opened up about her former relationship with Gerard Piqué, blaming him "for dragging her down".

The 47-year-old 'Hips Don't Lie' songstress announced in 2022 that she had split up with the soccer player, who is also the father of her two children, Sasha and Milan.

Shakira had been in a relationship with the 37-year-old Spanish athlete since 2010 after the pair met on the set of her music video for the World Cup anthem 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)'. It wasn't until May 2011 that the pair went public with their relationship.

However, in 2022, the pair released a joint statement confirming their separation that read: "We regret to confirm that we are separating. We ask for privacy at this moment for the well-being of our children, who are our maximum priority. Thank you in advance for your understanding and respect."

On Monday (March 25), the three-time Grammy winner appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to promote her new album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (Women No Longer Cry).

She opened up about her former relationship with the soccer star, telling the comedian that the reason for the seven-year gap between her latest album and 2017’s El Dorado was her ex-partner.

Watch Shakira on The Tonight Show below:

"I’ve been putting out music here and there, but I think it was really hard for me to put together a body of work" the Colombian superstar shared. "I didn’t have time. It was the husband factor."

"Now I’m husband-less," the She-Wolf hitmaker declared. (She never married Piqué) "The husband was dragging me down. Now I’m free! Now I can actually work!"

The 'Whenever, Wherever' singer-songwriter continued to share more about her recovery processes following her break-up.

"I was trying to rebuild myself and music was the glue, but it felt like it was an alchemical process in which I was transforming pain and anger and frustration into creativity and productivity and strength and resilience," she said.

She also explained why she chose precious stones for the alternate covers of her new album, telling Fallon: "The resilience of a diamond. So that’s why I picked the metaphor of the precious stones, because of the resilience that us women have today when we have to face adversity."

The mother-of-two also opened up about the societal expectations placed on women to hide their pain, sharing that her 12th studio album rejects these standards.

"It’s men’s turn [to cry] now," she said. "Now women [should] decide when to cry, how to cry, and until when. No one is supposed to tell us how to cope with the hardship of life."

Shakira‘s latest album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, is out now!

Featured image credit: John Parra / Getty

Gerard Piqué has debuted his new girlfriend on social media, seven months after splitting from Shakira.

The 45-year-old 'Hips Don't Lie' songstress announced back in June that she has split up with her partner of 11 years, who is also the father of her two children, Sasha, seven, and Milan, 10.

According to People, the pair wrote a joint statement that read: "We regret to confirm that we are separating. We ask for privacy at this moment for the well-being of our children, who are our maximum priority. Thank you in advance for your understanding and respect."

Now, it looks like the 35-year-old former professional soccer player has moved on as he shared a picture of him snuggling up to his new girlfriend, 23-year-old Clara Chia Marti.

The uncaptioned post - which surpassed 3 million likes - comes just weeks after the Latina hitmaker released her new song and breakup anthem 'BZRP Music Session #53'.

In the song, she gave a nod to her 2009 hit single 'She Wolf' which came shortly before the pair met in 2010 on the set of her music video for the official World Cup song 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)'.

She sang: "Sorry baby, I should have thrown you out a while ago / A she-wolf like me is not for rookies / A she-wolf like me is not for guys like you," and in the chorus, she belted: "I'm too good for you, and that's why you're with someone just like you."

The 'Whenever Wherever' singer then appeared to refer to Piqué and Marti’s relationship as she pipes: "I’m worth two 22-year-olds/You traded in a Ferrari for a Twingo/You traded in a Rolex for a Casio."

A week after the single - which has topped Global Spotify charts and amassed 213 million views in two weeks - the former Barcelona athlete was seen driving to his office in a Renault Twingo car in what fans believe was an intentional response.

Back in September, the Grammy-winning artist spoke with ELLE magazine about the break-up with her former partner and described it as the "darkest hours" of her life.

She said it was "really upsetting" for their children, adding: "What’s also real is the disappointment to see something as sacred and as special as I thought was the relationship I had with my kids' father and see that turned into something vulgarised and cheapened by the media."

Condemning the media scrutiny on her family, she continued: "It’s hard to talk about, especially because I’m still going through it, and because I’m in the public eye, and because our separation is not like a regular separation."

"So it’s been tough not only for me but also for my kids. Incredibly difficult. I have paparazzi camping outside, in front of my house, 24/7," she added.

You can listen to Shakira's new single 'BZRP Music Session #53' on streaming services now.

Featured image credit: ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy

Shakira and her partner of 11 years, Gerard Piqué, have split.

The former couple announced the decision in a joint statement and called for privacy at this time for the sake of their children.

Per the Daily Mail, the statement read: "We regret to confirm that we are parting ways. For the well-being of our children, who are our highest priority, we ask that you respect their privacy. Thank you for your understanding."

The 45-year-old Columbian singer had been in a relationship with the 35-year-old Spanish soccer player since 2010, after the pair met on the set of her music video for the World Cup anthem 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)'.

It wasn't until May 2011 that the pair went public with their relationship.

A little over a year later, in September 2012, the chart-topper announced that they were pregnant and expecting their first child. In an Instagram post, Shakira wrote: "Podría estar 9 meses más así! I could have another 9 months like this! Shak."

The singer gave birth to their first child, Milan Piqué Mebarak, on January 22, 2013.

In 2014, she also spoke about her aversion to get married, but did tell Glamour: "If I'm ever going to get married, he's the one."

She added: "We already have what's essential, you know? We have a union, a love for each other, and a baby. I think that those aspects of our relationship are already established, and marriage is not going to change them."

Then, on January 29, 2015, the former couple announced the birth of their second son, Sasha Piqué Mebarak.

Two years later, the 'Hips Don't Lie' singer released the single 'Me Enamoré', which details her relationship with the soccer star.

The lyrics state: "With you, I'd have ten children. Let's start with two children. I only tell you, In case you want to practice."

In an interview with YouTuber Jordi Wild earlier this year, Piqué stated that being booed by RCD Espanyol de Barcelona fans is "better than sex".

He said: "I'm happy that Espanyol has been promoted to the first division because that's how we play in their stadium. I like to go there, I get whistled at all the time.

"You laugh and the fans get even madder. There is nothing comparable in the world. I would say it's better than sex. I enjoy it a lot more than playing against Real Madrid."

Featured image credit: Abaca Press / Alamy

Shakira recently spoke out about women supporting women, stating that there's a "special place in hell" for those that don't.

The conversation took place during a recent appearance on the Mexican program En Punto con Enrique Acevedo, where the 46-year-old singer was asked about her latest single, 'Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol 53', in what has been described as an iconic collaboration with Argentinian DJ Bizarrap.

Fans have branded the catchy tune a "diss track" to her now ex-husband, Barcelona soccer player Gerard Piqué.

The couple called it quits back in June last year after being together for the past 11 years.

"We regret to confirm that we are separating," a joint statement by the pair read. "We ask for privacy at this moment for the well-being of our children, who are our maximum priority. Thank you in advance for your understanding and respect."

It was alleged that Piqué had cheated on the 'Hips Don't Lie' singer though the news wasn't officially confirmed. However, just a few months after the two announced that they would be parting ways, he was spotted with 23-year-old Clara Chia Marti, who he was first publicly linked to back in August 2022.

A report by The Sun suggested that they had been seeing each other since the year prior.

Now, Shakira has spoken out about the meaning behind some of the lyrics of her post-break-up song, as well as her new life after Piqué.

"I bought the story that a woman needs a man to be complete. I had that dream of having a [nuclear] family: mother and a father living with their children living under the same roof. Not every dream in life comes true, but life finds a way to make it up to you," the 46-year-old said, as per a direct translation by the Independent.

"As Madeleine Albright would say, 'There is a special place in hell for women who don’t support [women].'"

Elsewhere Shakira admitted that she’s "always been very emotionally dependent."

"I just love love. But I think somehow I see things from a different perspective now," she added. "I feel I’m enough and I think when a woman faces challenges in life, they come back stronger. You learn to see your flaws, to embrace your vulnerability and express that pain you might be feeling."

She also thanked the DJ for is help releasing the track, saying: "I think I’d be in a different place now had I not had that experience."

Speaking of the sudden break up with Elle in September 2022, Shakira opened up about how difficult the process of separation has been, not only for her, but her children, Sasha and Milan, too.

"I've tried to conceal the situation in front of my kids. I try to do it and to protect them, because that's my number one mission in life," she said. "But then they hear things in school from their friends or they come across some disagreeable, unpleasant news online, and it just affects them, you know?"

"It's really upsetting for two kids who are trying to process their parents' separation. And sometimes I just feel like this is all a bad dream and that I'm going to wake up at some point. But no, it's real," she went on to say.

She added: "And what's also real is the disappointment to see something as sacred and as special as I thought was the relationship I had with my kids' father and see that turned into something vulgarized and cheapened by the media.

"And all of this while my dad has been in the ICU and I've been fighting on different fronts," the singer continued."Like I said, this is probably the darkest hour of my life."

Featured Image Credit: Erik Pendzich / Alamy

Shakira and Burna Boy are set to perform the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 song, ‘Dai Dai,’ live for the first time tonight (June 11) at the World Cup Opening Ceremony in Mexico City.

The pair will headline the event just before the tournament’s opening match between Mexico and South Africa, bringing the competition’s official anthem to a global audience.

‘Dai Dai’ was created to celebrate resilience, hard work and global unity, blending different cultures through an upbeat sound and distinctive lyrics.

But ahead of the performance, many fans have been making the same comparison online, with several arguing that Shakira’s 2010 World Cup anthem ‘Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)’ remains the benchmark for football songs and is far superior to her latest release.

Fans compare ‘Dai Dai’ to ‘Waka Waka’

Reaction on social media has been mixed, with some listeners praising the new track while others complained that it cannot compete with the legacy of ‘Waka Waka.’

One person took to X and wrote: “Shakira and Burna Boy’s ‘Dai Dai’ proves that modern World Cup anthems are overproduced, soulless cash grabs not cultural moments. ‘Waka Waka’ worked because it felt organic. ‘Dai Dai’ feels like an algorithm made it. We need to stop pretending bigger names = better songs.”

Another person wrote: “Shakira done it again after Waka Waka!! But... nothing can beat Shakira’s Waka Wala - All time favrt!”

A third person penned: “The newest Shakira song for the World Cup is just about ok. It is no Waka Waka for sure."

A fourth said: “From 2010 to 2026, we’ve had some incredible World Cup anthems… but let’s be honest: Waka Waka remains untouchable.”

Shakira is set to perform the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 song, ‘Dai Dai’ tonight. Credit: Patricia J. Garcinuno / Getty

Why ‘Waka Waka’ still resonates with fans

"Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" was the official anthem of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was performed by Shakira alongside South African band Freshlyground.

The song became one of the most successful World Cup tracks ever released after bringing African musical culture to a worldwide audience through its adaptation of the traditional 1986 Cameroonian soldier chant "Zangaléwa."

Its mix of Afro-Colombian rhythms, themes of resilience and an instantly recognizable chorus helped it connect with people across different countries and languages. The song sold more than 15 million copies, attracted billions of views on YouTube and is still widely regarded as one of the defining sports anthems of the modern era.

Tournament faces criticism before kick-off

The build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has also been overshadowed by criticism surrounding the tournament.

Critics have accused the competition of being a target for "sportswashing," while concerns have been raised about immigration restrictions and travel bans in the United States.

Several international team personnel and match officials, including Somali referee Omar Artan, have reportedly been prevented from entering the country.

Civil rights group Amnesty International has also warned of a "human rights emergency" linked to border enforcement policies. Fans have additionally voiced frustration over rising travel expenses and FIFA's use of dynamic pricing, which has pushed ticket costs significantly higher.

There have also been safety concerns connected to cartel violence in co-host nation Mexico, along with fears about extreme summer heat conditions during the tournament.

For now, though, attention will be on Shakira and Burna Boy as they take to the stage in Mexico City, where fans will finally get to hear ‘Dai Dai’ performed live for the first time.

Featured image credit: Patricia J. Garcinuno / Getty