As the World Cup edges closer than ever, FIFA announced the singers who will be performing at the Opening Ceremony in Qatar this year, one of the names has got all the fans turning their heads.
Shakira will be joining The Black Eyed Peas and BTS to perform at the World Cup 2022 opening ceremony but the fans didn’t seem much ecstatic. They questioned if Shakira should be allowed to perform or not as she has been accused of tax evasion and is looking at a hefty fine plus jail time should she be found guilty.
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Shakira accused of tax evasion
Shakira has had a career full of highlights from her musical triumphs to make every football fan move to her World Cup 2010 song Waka Waka, the Colombian singer has been a great influence on the masses.
But more recently, the “Hips Don’t Lie” singer has been in the headlines due to her personal life choices. Shakira has been charged with 6 counts of Tax Fraud by the Prosecutors in Spain for failing to pay $14.5 million in tax.
Shakira has denied the accusations constantly. Shakira’s representatives put out a statement that said Shakira had repaid the $14.5 million and that she has no tax debts with the Spanish Treasury.
A judge in a municipality near Barcelona approved a trial but hasn’t set a date. Having been accused of hiding assets and income for the better part of 2012-2014, if found guilty, she is looking at a hefty fine of $23 million with eight years in prison.
How many times did Shakira perform at the world cup?
From never having watched the sport to performing at one the biggest tournament this sport has to offer. Shakira has performed at three consecutive World Cups. Shakira had everyone dancing to her 2010 World Cup song Waka Waka, taking over the fans and even the footballers, but her first appearance was at the 2006 Germany World Cup.
She sang her famous song “Hips Don’t Lie” with Wyclef Jean in its mambo version (a Cuban music style) as Italy lifted the World Cup but her most successful appearance was at the 2010 World Cup.
Her performance at the 2006 World Cup was so exquisite that she got called up to not only perform but also sing the song “Waka Waka: This Time for Africa” in English and Spanish versions, captivating every football fan as Spain won the World Cup.
Lastly, her performance at the 2014 World cup, first with fellow pop stars like Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, and Claudia Leitte as they sang “We are from one” together after which she sang “I Will Give” better known as “La La La” with Carlinhos Brown and Germany won the World Cup that year from Argentina.
The Colombian singer returns to sing at the 2022 opening ceremony, having missed out on the 2018 World Cup ceremony.