Shakira ‘was never in talks to perform at Qatar World Cup opening ceremony’ amid reports she stepped down

Shakira did not pull out of performing at the World Cup opening ceremony because she was never even in talks to appear (Picture: FilmMagic)

Shakira was never in talks to perform at the Qatar World Cup opening ceremony despite rumours swirling that she has pulled out, a source has confirmed.

The star, who sang smash-hit theme Waka Waka at the 2010 South Africa World Cup, had faced criticism from fans in recent days as rumours abounded she was set to perform at the 2022 opening ceremony.

Reports have since emerged that the Hips Don’t Lie singer has pulled out of performing at the ceremony – despite the fact she was never confirmed to be appearing.

Now a source close to the singer has told Metro.co.uk that Shakira was never even in talks to perform at the opening ceremony.

The source suggested the unfounded rumours may have come from the opening ceremony organisers creating a list of artists they would like to perform, which may have caused similar confusion with Dua Lipa.

One Kiss singer Dua recently released a statement confirming she was not performing at the World Cup and had never ‘been involved in any negotiation to perform.’

Shakira is a World Cup icon, having performed the 2010 South Africa theme song Waka Waka (Picture: Getty Images)

She added she looked forward to visiting Qatar ‘when it has fulfilled all the human rights pledges it made when it won the right to host the World Cup.’

The 2022 tournament has proved massively controversial due to the host country’s human rights record, the mistreatment and deaths of migrant workers, and the fact same-sex relationships are illegal.

The news that Shakira was never in talks to perform at the opening ceremony comes as Nicki Minaj faces backlash as she seemingly prepares to appear in the 2022 World Cup theme song.

Dua Lipa was recently forced to come out denying she was in talks to perform at the opening ceremony (Picture: Getty Image)

The Superbass chart-topper is seemingly set to appear on track Tukoh Taka alongside musicians Maluma and Myriam Fase, which will act as the theme song for this year’s event.

She had teased new music to do with the World Cup earlier this month, including by posting an image of football boots making up the date November 18 and featuring her, Maluma and Myriam’s names.

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Should Nicki perform on the World Cup theme song, she would be the first female rapper to ever do so, however many fans are unhappy with the idea.

Twitter users have flocked to the platform in recent days pleading with the Young Money rapper not to take part in the event, with many pointing to the country’s hardline stance against same-sex relationships.

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Rumours had swirled the star had pulled out of the ceremony.