Shakira Leverages World Cup Platform to Boost FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund for Venezuelan Children

During the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, singer-songwriter Shakira released a video urging viewers to donate to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. The campaign targets a $100 million fundraising goal, with $500,000 earmarked for children whose schooling has been disrupted by recent earthquakes in Venezuela.

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CNN reports that the earthquakes in Venezuela have caused more than 1,700 fatalities, leaving many families without stable access to education, meals, health services, and protective support. Shakira emphasizes that millions of children worldwide lack adequate educational opportunities, a situation intensified for those in the affected Venezuelan regions.

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• Shakira – Colombian-American musician and campaign spokesperson.

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• Prime Minister Carney (Canada) – First government official publicly cited as supporting the fund.

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• Prime Minister Montenegro (Portugal) – Mentioned as a potential supporter.

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• President Emmanuel Macron (France) – Listed among leaders Shakira hopes will join.

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• Chancellor Friedrich Merz (Germany) – Also named as a prospective backer.

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• Former leaders from Austria, Sweden, New Zealand, and Ireland – Signatories of an open letter endorsing the appeal.

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• Global Citizen – Organizer of the World Cup 2026 Final halftime show.

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• Chris Martin (Coldplay) – Curator of the halftime production.

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• Madonna and BTS – Co-performers with Shakira at the planned halftime show.

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• May 2024 – Shakira issues a public statement linking her music career and school-building efforts, announcing the fundraising push.

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• July 19, 2024 – Global Citizen will present the inaugural FIFA World Cup 2026 Final halftime show at MetLife Stadium, featuring Shakira, Madonna, and BTS.

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• Fundraising goal: $100 million total.

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• Allocated to Venezuelan children: $500,000.

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• Casualties from earthquakes: >1,700 deaths (CNN).

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Shakira’s video calls on world leaders to join Canada’s Prime Minister Carney in supporting the education fund, citing additional leaders from Portugal, France, and Germany. An open letter signed by former officials from Austria, Sweden, New Zealand, and Ireland reinforces the appeal, stressing that post-World Cup, children will still require classrooms, meals, health care, and protection. Global Citizen confirms its role in producing the halftime show, with Chris Martin overseeing the event’s curation.

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• “Today, millions of children are growing up without the education and opportunities they deserve,” — Shakira, singer-songwriter

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• “Prime Minister Carney of Canada has already stepped forward to support this campaign,” — Shakira

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• “I’ve spent my life doing two things — making songs and building schools. At the FIFA World Cup, those two paths come together,” — Shakira

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• “Standing alongside Madonna and BTS, I’ll be performing ‘Dai Dai,’ the song I created for this World Cup and for the kids around the world we will reach with the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. My hope is that on the world’s biggest stage, the importance of investing in children’s education steals the show!” — Shakira

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The campaign seeks to translate the global visibility of the World Cup into concrete educational resources for children affected by natural disaster. By allocating a specific portion of the fund to Venezuelan schools, the initiative aims to address immediate learning disruptions while promoting longer-term socioeconomic stability.

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The July 19 halftime performance will serve as a high-profile platform to encourage additional donations. Organizers anticipate that the combined exposure of the World Cup audience and the involvement of prominent artists will accelerate contributions toward the $100 million target and inspire further commitments from the listed political leaders.

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