Burna Boy and Shakira rehearse for FIFA World Cup final halftime show
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy and Colombian pop icon Shakira shared a moment during rehearsals for the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show. Burna Boy posted a video on his X handle showing the two embracing and smiling at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA. They are set to perform "Dai Dai," the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The halftime break for the final, which will see Spain face Argentina, may be extended to approximately 30 minutes to accommodate the performance. The show will also feature co-headliners BTS, Madonna, Justin Bieber, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the PS22 Chorus with Coldplay, and characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets. This event is also expected to support global education initiatives for children. Burna Boy and Shakira previously performed "Dai Dai" at the tournament's opening ceremony in Mexico City.
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England and France will compete in the FIFA World Cup third-place play-off on Saturday. This match holds significance beyond the bronze medal, including the Golden Boot race and marking the end of Didier Deschamps’ 14-year tenure as France coach. The game at Miami Stadium will be their first encounter since France's 2-1 victory in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals. Both teams experienced semi-final defeats, with France losing 2-0 to Spain and England falling 2-1 to Argentina. Kylian Mbappé of France and Lionel Messi are tied with eight goals each in the Golden Boot race, while England's Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have six goals apiece. France will be without defender William Saliba due to injury, with Maxence Lacroix expected to start. Theo Hernández will replace Lucas Digne at left-back, and Warren Zaïre-Emery and Rayan Cherki are anticipated to join the starting lineup. England faces injury concerns with Reece James and Jordan Henderson unavailable. Jude Bellingham's availability is uncertain pending a FIFA disciplinary decision, while Morgan Rogers and Kobbie Mainoo could make their first appearances. This will be Deschamps' final game as coach, having led France to the 2018 World Cup title and the 2022 final. A win would secure England's best-ever third-place finish, while France aims to maintain a perfect record in bronze-medal matches.
Must ReadArgentina head coach Lionel Scaloni described Lionel Messi as "pure history" and "a legend" during the FIFA Fanatics event in New York City. Scaloni urged fans to appreciate Messi, who is 39, as he prepares for what could be his final FIFA World Cup appearance. He compared Messi's ongoing presence to the late Diego Maradona, emphasizing Messi's historical significance. Argentina is set to face Spain in the World Cup final, aiming to defend their title. Scaloni acknowledged Spain as a formidable opponent, praising their disciplined play and expressing concern about their strength. He dismissed the idea that Argentina's previous World Cup final experience would give them an advantage, noting Spain's own experience in major finals. Scaloni highlighted that Argentina's success stems from their upbringing, focusing on playing football without succumbing to external pressure. Messi echoed these sentiments, stating that his childhood experiences of playing with passion and learning from losses shaped his mentality as a player and person.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi expressed his astonishment at facing Spain's teenage star Lamine Yamal in the upcoming FIFA World Cup final, recalling an old photograph where he held Yamal as a baby. Messi, speaking ahead of the final, called the situation "incredible" and "crazy." He acknowledged Yamal's rapid ascent, describing the Barcelona youngster as one of the world's finest players despite his age, and wished him luck for his career, though hoping he would not perform at his best in the final. The famous photograph was taken by Spanish photographer Joan Monfort for a charity calendar organized by Sportnewspaper and UNICEF at Barcelona's Camp Nou. Monfort noted the image has gained renewed global attention ahead of the final. Messi enters the final in strong form, having scored eight goals and provided four assists, aiming for his third World Cup final appearance. The match also marks the first competitive meeting between the two continental champions after a planned Finalissima between Spain and Argentina was canceled earlier this year due to conflict in the Middle East.