Shakira to sing at third World Cup closing ceremony

Image source, Reuters

Image caption, Shakira also performed the official anthem of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa

Colombian pop star Shakira will perform at this year's World Cup closing ceremony, which takes place before the final in Rio de Janeiro on 13 July.

The singer will perform La La La (Brazil 2014) at the Maracana stadium.

It is her third consecutive appearance at a World Cup closing ceremony, after performing in South Africa in 2010 and in Germany in 2006.

Shakira, whose home team Colombia will face Brazil in the quarter-finals, said she was "thrilled" to be performing.

"I have an intricate relationship with football for obvious reasons, and I truly understand what the World Cup means to so many people, myself included," the singer said in a statement.

"The fans have shown the most incredible support for this song and I can't wait to perform it for them."

The 37-year-old singer, whose hits include Hips Don't Lie and She Wolf, had a son with Spanish defender Gerard Pique last year.

She also performed the official song of the 2010 World Cup - Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) - which is reportedly the biggest-selling World Cup song of all time.

The Brazil ceremony, which marks the end of a month of football, will also see Carlos Santana and hip-hop star Wyclef Jean perform the official anthem Dar Um Jeito alongside Brazil's Alexandre Pires.

Local superstar Ivete Sangalo will perform a medley of well-known Brazilian songs, while there will be a Samba performance by students from a school in Rio.