Shakira is returning to her role as the unofficial sonic architect of the FIFA World Cup. The Colombian superstar has unveiled a teaser for “Dai Dai,” the official anthem of the 2026 World Cup, signaling a high-energy collaboration that bridges two of the world’s most influential musical movements: Latin pop and Afrobeats.
The preview, shared across her social media platforms, features a one-minute clip of the 49-year-old artist performing alongside a vibrant troupe of dancers. The backdrop for the teaser is the legendary Maracaná stadium in Rio de Janeiro, a location that underscores the global scale of the project and pays homage to the sport’s deep roots in South America.
Joining Shakira on the track is Nigerian powerhouse Burna Boy. The pairing represents a strategic cultural intersection, blending Shakira’s established history with tournament anthems and Burna Boy’s status as a global leader in the Afrobeats explosion. The full version of “Dai Dai” is scheduled for release on May 14.
A legacy of global anthems
For Shakira, the World Cup is more than just a sporting event; it is a recurring stage for some of her most defining career moments. “Dai Dai” marks her second official tournament anthem, following the seismic success of “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. That track remains one of the most viewed and recognized sports songs in history, cementing her ability to craft melodies that resonate across linguistic and cultural borders.
Beyond official anthems, the four-time Grammy winner has a long-standing relationship with FIFA’s closing ceremonies. She performed “Dare (La La La)” during the 2014 tournament in Brazil and brought “Hips Don’t Lie” to the 2006 festivities. Her connection to the sport is also personal; she shares two children with former Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué, who won the World Cup with Spain in 2010.
The selection of Burna Boy for “Dai Dai” suggests a desire by FIFA and the artists to capture the current zeitgeist of global music. While “Waka Waka” leaned into African rhythms through a pop lens, the collaboration with Burna Boy brings an authentic Afrobeats influence to the forefront, reflecting the genre’s massive growth in the U.S. And European markets over the last five years.
Shakira’s World Cup Timeline
| Year | Song/Performance | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | “Hips Don’t Lie” | Closing Ceremony Performer |
| 2010 | “Waka Waka” | Official Anthem |
| 2014 | “Dare (La La La)” | Closing Ceremony Performer |
| 2026 | “Dai Dai” | Official Anthem |
The scale of the 2026 tournament
The anthem arrives as anticipation builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be the largest in the history of the tournament. In an unprecedented move, the event will be hosted across three nations: Canada, the United States, and Mexico. This expanded footprint mirrors the global reach of the “Dai Dai” collaboration, aiming to unite diverse fanbases across North America and beyond.
The tournament is set to kick off on June 11, 2026, with the opening match taking place in Mexico City. With a larger pool of participating teams and venues stretching from Vancouver to Mexico City, the demand for a unifying, high-energy soundtrack has never been higher. The use of the Maracaná stadium in the teaser—though located in Brazil—serves as a nod to the historical prestige of the game, bridging the gap between the South American heartland of football and the North American hosts.
Industry analysts view the pairing of Shakira and Burna Boy as a calculated move to ensure the anthem appeals to the “Gen Z” demographic, which consumes music via global streaming trends and TikTok virality, while maintaining the broad, multi-generational appeal that Shakira has cultivated over three decades.
What to expect next
While the teaser provides a glimpse of the song’s rhythmic direction and visual grandeur, the full sonic profile of “Dai Dai” remains under wraps. Fans and critics are looking for how the track balances Shakira’s signature vocal power with Burna Boy’s melodic flow, and whether the production will incorporate traditional instruments from the host nations.
The official release of the song on May 14 will likely be accompanied by a full-length music video, providing further insight into the visual narrative of the 2026 campaign. Following the release, the focus will shift toward the official tournament countdown and the announcement of other promotional events leading up to the June 11 kickoff in Mexico City.
Do you think “Dai Dai” can live up to the legacy of “Waka Waka”? Share your thoughts in the comments below and follow our coverage for more updates on the 2026 World Cup.
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