Shakira performed at the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico City, but U.S. viewers watching Fox never saw her set when the network omitted that segment; clips of the performance are now circulating online.
Shakira's opening-ceremony set omitted from Fox's U.S. broadcast
Shakira appeared live on the field during the World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico City, but the singer’s performance was not shown to U.S. viewers on Fox. The omission sparked immediate fan frustration on social platforms as viewers who tuned in ahead of Mexico’s match found the headline act missing from the telecast.
When and where the performance took place
The opening ceremony occurred prior to Mexico’s kickoff, with Shakira taking part in the on-site extravaganza in Mexico City. International attendees and stadium audiences saw the full spectacle; the performance preceded the national team’s first match.
Why many U.S. viewers missed it
Fox’s U.S. broadcast either cut away from the on-field ceremony or chose not to air certain segments, leaving viewers without live coverage of Shakira’s appearance. Broadcasters often trim ceremonies for pacing, regional rights or programming priorities — but this decision felt especially notable given Shakira’s global prominence and the heightened interest surrounding World Cup openings.
How to watch the performance now
Clips and fan-shot video of Shakira’s set are circulating across social media platforms and video-sharing sites. Official highlights and post-event packages are likely to follow from broadcast partners and FIFA, offering full or edited versions for audiences who missed the live airing.
Why this matters — beyond one missed song
Fans expect marquee moments to be available live, especially when a global superstar is involved. Missing a high-profile performance undermines viewer trust and raises questions about editorial choices in sports broadcasting. For Fox, the incident is a reputational hit among passionate soccer viewers who feel entitled to the complete opening spectacle.
What this means for broadcasters and fans
Broadcasters must balance live sports action with ceremony coverage, but the default expectation should be transparency: if networks will not show a segment, audiences deserve advance notice. For fans, the quick spread of clips mitigates immediate frustration, yet the episode highlights how fragmented live coverage can leave viewers feeling shortchanged.
What to watch next
Expect official highlight reels and broader distribution of the opening ceremony footage in the hours after the match. Broadcasters and FIFA may respond to backlash with extended coverage or post-match recaps.
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For viewers and rights holders, the bigger conversation will be about ensuring marquee cultural moments at global tournaments are accessible to the largest possible audience.
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