Shakira has given free tickets to her upcoming Brooklyn concert to three groups of New Yorkers who have supported others through recent challenges: volunteers aiding earthquake relief in Venezuela, union workers who helped deliver the World Cup, and Colombian restaurant owners who took part in the city's World Cup dining promotion. The gesture, ahead of her Tuesday 21 July show, is intended as a thank-you to people whose behind-the-scenes work is often overlooked, and has been welcomed by city officials and honourees alike. Separately, Mexican singer-songwriter Ximena Sariñana has been named recipient of the music award at the 39th annual Hispanic Heritage Awards.

Shakira described the honourees as "the true she-wolves" of the World Cup effort, while New York World Cup Czar Maya Handa praised the workers, volunteers and restaurateurs as "the heart of this city". Among those recognised were hotel union member Biviana Pereira Leiva, a Colombian immigrant of ten years, and Queens-based 32BJ member Sandra Leiton. Sariñana's award, announced on 16 July, marks over two decades of work in music, activism and film, and comes as the ceremony moves to Minneapolis on 10 September, its first time outside Washington, D.C.