Jennifer Lopez has cancelled her planned performance at the World Cup opening ceremony because of "production issues". The R&B superstar was due to perform alongside Pitbull and Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte, with whom she recorded the official song We Are One (Ole Ola).

Jennifer LopezJennifer Lopez has dropped out of performing at the World Cup opening ceremony

Pitbull and Leitte will perform as a duo, accompanied by drumming collective Olodum.

"For production issues, Jennifer Lopez, one of the artists of the official song We Are One, will not be able to perform at the Fifa World Cup opening ceremony," said a statement.

The opening ceremony in Sao Paolo will feature 600 artists including stilt walkers, acrobatic gymnasts, trampolinists and martial arts performers. 

Lopez's U-turn comes just days after she said she was "thrilled" to be given the chance to perform at the opening ceremony.

"This is an amazing celebration of global unity, competition and sport," she said. 

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Pitbull remains upbeat, despite Lopez's departure from the show.

"To be performing We Are One to the world, especially in such a beautiful country like Brazil, is going to be a lot of fun.But more than this, it is going to show the world that music is the universal language."

More than 60,000 people are expected to be in Sao Paulo's Corinthians Arena to watch the opening ceremony and first game between Brazil and Croatia. 

It was reported last week that Lopez had split from her long-term boyfriend Casper Smart. 

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