Mexico City, Mexico – The World Cup kicked off today in a blaze of colour and sound, but it was Shakira’s halftime show that truly stole the headlines. British broadcasters, never ones to shy from diplomatic praise, have hailed the Colombian star’s performance as a triumph of soft power. Sources confirm the show cost upwards of £15 million. That money came from somewhere. And it always leaves a trail.
I’ve spent years following the money. I’ve seen the offshore accounts, the shell companies, the quiet donations that buy influence. Shakira’s performance was flawless. That’s not the issue. The issue is who paid for it and why. The Mexican government, already under fire for its handling of cartel violence, reportedly funneled taxpayer funds into the spectacle. They call it cultural diplomacy. I call it a distraction.
Documents obtained by this desk show that the production company behind the show has deep ties to a network of firms linked to a former Mexican official now under investigation for money laundering. The trail goes cold in the Cayman Islands. It always does. But I’m not done yet. Watch this space.
Meanwhile, the football is on. England’s squad looks fit and ready, but the real game is off the pitch. Corporate sponsors have poured millions into the tournament. FIFA’s accounts remain opaque. The governing body’s executives have a habit of vanishing with the cash. I know. I’ve followed them.
This World Cup is a spectacle. The people in suits want you to look at the ball, the flags, the smiles. They don’t want you to look at the contracts, the kickbacks, the quiet deals struck in hotel rooms. But I’m looking. I’m always looking.
For now, we watch. We cheer. We wonder what happens when the music stops and the cameras leave. The corruption won’t stop. It never does. But at least I’m here to keep score.
