Burna Boy and Shakira’s World Cup Hug Sends Social Media Buzzing.
If you watched the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, chances are you’re still thinking about that moment between Burna Boy and Shakira.
The Nigerian Grammy winner and the Colombian pop superstar delivered a historic performance of “Dai Dai,” the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, during the tournament’s first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show. But while the performance itself was something to remember, it’s what happened after that has social media buzzing.
Just before the final performance, Burna Boy and Shakira were having a conversation backstage when out of excitement, Burna Boy picked her up and held her in a warm embrace for a few seconds.
The hug lasted only moments, but it was powerful enough to send fans into a frenzy. Pictures and clips of the moment flooded the internet, with many people wondering: are Burna Boy and Shakira dating?
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The way he held her, the way she wrapped her arms around him — it looked like something out of a romantic movie. Fans couldn’t help themselves. They began speculating, sharing the images, and asking questions that no one seemed to have answers to.
For those who are curious, the answer is no. Shakira has made it clear in past interviews that she is not looking for a relationship at the moment. She has said repeatedly that her focus is on raising her children and rebuilding her life after her very public split from Gerard Piqué.
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Her priority right now is her family, and she has not given any indication that she is open to dating, whether it’s Burna Boy or anyone else.
Burna Boy, on the other hand, has always been private about his personal life. He rarely comments on his relationships, and he didn’t say anything about this particular moment either. But sometimes, a hug is just a hug.
Let’s not forget what the moment was really about. Burna Boy and Shakira made history that night. The performance marked the first time the World Cup final had a Super Bowl-style halftime show, and the duo did not disappoint.
Shakira brought her signature Latin pop energy, while Burna Boy delivered the Afrobeats vibe that has made him a global star. Together, they created a moment that blended cultures and showed the world the power of music.
For Burna Boy, this was especially important. He became the first Nigerian artist to headline a FIFA World Cup final halftime show. That alone is something to celebrate.
As expected, social media had a field day. Some fans joked about the hug, while others defended the two artists, saying people are reading too much into it.
One Twitter user wrote: “Burna Boy picked up Shakira like she was a feather. That man is strong sha.”
Another commented: “The way they hugged each other… if they are not dating, then I don’t know what love is.”
A more sensible voice added: “It was just a hug. Can we move on and appreciate the performance?”
Both artists have busy schedules ahead. Burna Boy is continuing his global tour, while Shakira is working on new music and enjoying life with her children.
Whether or not they ever work together again remains to be seen. But for now, fans have that one moment — that hug — to hold onto.
The Burna Boy and Shakira hug is shows how quickly moments like these can capture the world’s attention. In a time when everything is shared and dissected online, it’s easy to read too much into things.
But sometimes, two artists are just two artists sharing a moment of joy. And that’s exactly what this was.
So, no, they are not dating. But yes, they did give us something to talk about.
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