The Ghetto Kids from Uganda made history when they performed on one of the world’s biggest entertainment stages alongside global superstars Shakira and Burna Boy at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final. The performance was more than another international appearance for the Kampala-based dance group; it placed Ugandan talent at the centre of the most-watched event globally for a solid two minutes.
The historic show took place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, during the first-ever official FIFA World Cup Final halftime show. With more than 80,000 fans filling the stadium and over a billion viewers tuning in worldwide, the 0-1 final match between Argentina and Spain became a global phenomenon, as appearances by major icons in music and film delivered a Super Bowl-style show.
For the Ghetto Kids, appearing on that stage marked a major leap in their journey, which began in 2014 with performances in Kampala suburbs and appearances in music videos.
The Ghetto Kids’ path to the World Cup stage began after Shakira saw a clip of their improvised choreography to her song “Zoo” from Zootopia 2. Impressed by their creativity and energy, the “ageless” Colombian superstar invited the Ugandan-bred dancers, led by Dauda Kavuma, to feature in the official “Dai Dai” music video, a FIFA World Cup 2026 song by Shakira and Nigerian Grammy-winning star Burna Boy.
Directed by Hannah Lux Davis and featuring star cameos from football legends including Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi, the “Dai Dai” music video was shot over two days in early April 2026, primarily at Robot Studios in Miami. On 20 May 2026, just days before the video’s official release, Shakira officially unveiled her collaboration with the Ghetto Kids.
Their bond grew even stronger as the Ghetto Kids spent time rehearsing and touring New York City with the singer.
What can’t be left out is that, on their second trip around June, the Ghetto Kids’ World Cup dream hung in the balance when U.S. health protocols linked to the Ebola outbreak required the troupe to spend 21 days in quarantine in Ecuador before they could land in the United States to take the stage.
Against the odds, they made it through. On 15 July 2026, a day after their viral walkout at her New Jersey concert, Shakira confirmed she would perform with “The @Ghettokids_tfug from Uganda” during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final on 19 July 2026.
The rest is history. The Ghetto Kids are now cemented global icons who earned Uganda a spot in the spotlight brighter than what some of the competing nations in the tournament got.
