United Kingdom, June 5 -- Shakira's sons "were born" because of the World Cup.

The 49-year-old singer wrote the official song of the 2010 tournament, Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) and subsequently met soccer star Gerard Pique at the tournament, with the couple - who split in 2022 - going on to be parents to Milan, 13, and 11-year-old Sasha.

And as a result, the Hips Don't Lie hitmaker will always have fond memories of the song and the soccer competition.

She told People magazine: "That's why I call my kids the Waka kids; I think they were born because of that song.

"That song took me to the World Cup, the World Cup had an important impact in my life, and they were born - the best thing that has happened to me.

"Then in 2014, I was...