Colombian superstar Shakira and Afrobeats icon Burna Boy have released the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, 'Dai Dai'. The song, a fusion of Afrobeats and Latin rhythms, is an undeniably global, multilingual pop track that calls out nations and players competing in this year's tournament.
Global Collaboration
In the chorus, Shakira cheers: 'Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia. Mexico, Japan, Korea, Netherlands.' After the first chorus, the duo takes turns trading verses before joining in a duet. The release comes shortly after it was announced that Shakira, Madonna, and K-pop group BTS will co-headline the FIFA tournament's first-ever final halftime show on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The lineup was curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin, and the show will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million for children's education and soccer access.
Teaser and History
Shakira first teased 'Dai Dai' last week with a minute-long clip of her dancing at Maracaná Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, including a snippet of the opening verse: 'Here in this place / You belong... What broke you once / Made you strong.' She is no stranger to World Cup anthems, having performed 'Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)', the official song of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, widely regarded as one of the best.
It is not uncommon for FIFA World Cup sponsors to release their own singles. In March, Coca-Cola shared its own official anthem, a reimagination of Van Halen's 'Jump' featuring Colombian singer J Balvin, drummer Travis Barker, pop/R&B singer Amber Mark, and guitarist Steve Vai. Balvin wrote a new verse in Spanish, bringing Brazilian funk and hip-hop to the classic rock staple. 'Jump is not a fútbol song,' he told The Associated Press, 'so that's why I had to put the Latin love and passion for fútbol (in the lyrics).'
The 2026 World Cup is co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, running through June and July.
