Ghetto Kids Shine With Shakira at World Cup Final

The Ghetto Kids perform with Shakira and Burna Boy during the FIFA World Cup final halftime show before a global audience.

The Ghetto Kids have once again proven that talent, determination, and opportunity can transform lives. The Ugandan dance group captured global attention after performing alongside international music icons Shakira and Burna Boy during the FIFA World Cup final halftime show, delivering one of the tournament’s most memorable cultural moments.

For the young dancers, the performance was far more than entertainment. It marked another milestone in a journey that has taken them from the streets of Kampala to one of the world’s biggest sporting stages.

Ten year old Sierra summed up the experience in simple but unforgettable words.

“It was very, very, very, very, very good.”

Millions of football fans watched the halftime show as Spain defeated Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

 While debates continued over the introduction of a Super Bowl style performance to football’s biggest event, the Ghetto Kids earned praise for showcasing African talent before a global audience.

Speaking after the performance, Sierra and fellow dancer Josephine reflected on sharing the stage with Shakira and Burna Boy while also witnessing football legends Lionel Messi and Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.

“I was so happy to see Messi and people watching us,” Josephine said. “I felt excited, I was smiling, and a little bit nervous.”

Sierra described Shakira as “very kind,” recalling how the children embraced both Shakira and Burna Boy after the performance in what their manager, Dauda Kavuma, described as a genuine moment of joy rather than planned choreography.

For Kavuma, the invitation represented years of persistence paying off. He said the children celebrated by running around, shouting with excitement after learning they had been selected for the World Cup show.

The performance carried special meaning because the group had previously danced to Shakira’s global hit Waka Waka, making the opportunity to perform alongside the Colombian superstar feel like a dream fulfilled.

Behind the celebration lies a remarkable story of resilience.

Kavuma grew up on the streets of Kampala before the support of a teacher changed his life. Inspired by that experience, he later became a teacher himself and founded the Ghetto Kids, creating opportunities for homeless children and those unable to afford school fees.

The group’s energetic blend of African dance styles, comedy, and storytelling quickly attracted attention from Ugandan artists, including Eddy Kenzo, before a major breakthrough arrived in 2017 through French Montana’s Unforgettable music video, which has accumulated more than 1.9 billion YouTube views.

International recognition followed with appearances on Britain’s Got Talent in 2023 and America’s Got Talent the following year, helping transform the Ghetto Kids into one of Africa’s most recognizable youth performance groups.

The success has also expanded Kavuma’s social mission. Through the project, more children across Uganda now receive housing, education, meals, and opportunities that were once beyond reach.

Although the World Cup final represents their biggest international stage so far, it is not their first major sporting event. The group previously performed during a Paris Saint Germain football match in France and met French football star Kylian Mbappé.

Their inspiring journey has also been documented in the film Ghetto Kids Documentary: No Plan B, further highlighting how creativity can become a pathway to education and opportunity.

Despite growing international fame, education remains central to the group’s philosophy. Content creation and rehearsals are largely scheduled for weekends, allowing weekdays to focus on school. 

When performances require travel, the children attend lessons online and catch up on missed work upon returning home.

Both Sierra and Josephine say they hope to become doctors while continuing to dance.

“Dancing changed my life,” Sierra said. “I went to school because of dance.”

Josephine echoed the same belief, describing dance as both her passion and her greatest talent.

Their message to children facing difficult circumstances is equally powerful.

Believe in yourself. Trust your talent. Keep learning. Never stop dreaming.

For African entrepreneurs, investors, and creative industry leaders, the Ghetto Kids represent more than a viral success story. They demonstrate how investing in young talent, education, and creative industries can generate global opportunities while creating lasting social impact across the continent.

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