BIG DAY! Uganda’s Ghetto Kids To Rock Today’s World Cup Final With Shakira, Burna Boy

By Swift Reporter

Uganda’s internationally acclaimed dance group, Ghetto Kids, has shared behind-the-scenes moments from their rehearsals with Colombian superstar Shakira and Nigerian Grammy Award winner Burna Boy ahead of their historic performance at the FIFA World Cup final halftime show.

The Kampala-based dance troupe posted a series of photos on Instagram showing them sharing joyful moments with the global music icons as they prepare for the highly anticipated show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, United States.

In the images, Shakira is seen dancing at the centre of a circle surrounded by the energetic Ugandan dancers, while Burna Boy joins the group with his signature moves. Other photos capture the stars laughing, singing and interacting with the young performers.

Burna Boy also shared rehearsal moments on X, posting photos and a video alongside Shakira with the message:

“Sunday Prep! @shakira See you at the @FIFAWorldCup Final! Dai dai, ikó, dale, allez, let’s go.”

The Ghetto Kids accompanied their photos with an excited message:

“The whole ‘Dai Dai’ stars are here now! And we are more than ready to rock the world this Sunday at the FIFA World Cup Halftime Show! See you.”

The performance marks another major milestone for the Ugandan dance group, which rose from humble beginnings on the streets of Katwe, Kampala, to become one of Africa’s most recognised youth dance brands.

Founded in 2014 by Dauda Kavuma, the group first gained international attention after their viral dance performance to Eddy Kenzo’s hit song Sitya Loss. They later featured in French Montana’s Unforgettable music video, performed at events connected to the 2022 FIFA World Cup and made history in 2023 after receiving a Golden Buzzer on Britain’s Got Talent.

The opportunity to perform at the World Cup final came after Shakira personally invited the group to join her on stage. The Colombian superstar revealed that she had been impressed by their online dance performances to Dai Dai, the official tournament song featuring Burna Boy.

However, their journey to the United States was briefly uncertain after concerns emerged over possible travel challenges linked to Ebola-related restrictions affecting travellers from Uganda.

Despite the uncertainty, Ghetto Kids manager Dauda Kavuma remained confident that the group would make it to the global stage. The concerns were later resolved, allowing the dancers to travel and complete rehearsals with the two international stars.

The World Cup final halftime performance will be a landmark moment as FIFA introduces its first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show. The musical segment is expected to last about 11 minutes and will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, aimed at expanding access to education and football opportunities for children worldwide.

Millions of football fans around the world are expected to watch as Uganda’s Ghetto Kids take centre stage alongside Shakira, Burna Boy and other global performers in one of the biggest sporting events on the planet.