After a prolonged hiatus from football’s grandest stage, Latin music icon Shakira is set to make a highly anticipated return to the FIFA World Cup spotlight with the official anthem for the 2026 tournament in North America. The new track, titled “Dai Dai”, has already generated global excitement following its announcement, with fans eagerly awaiting what promises to be another defining sporting soundtrack.
This time, Shakira is joined by Nigerian superstar Burna Boy, whose distinctive Afrobeat style brings a fresh dimension to the collaboration. The fusion of Latin rhythms and African beats is being widely praised by music analysts as a bold and contemporary creative direction, with strong potential to resonate across global audiences.
A teaser video for the song was released on Thursday, filmed at Brazil’s iconic Maracanã Stadium. The preview quickly went viral across social media platforms, drawing widespread attention from both music lovers and football enthusiasts. The video featured dynamic choreography from dancers dressed in the colours of the three host nations—Mexico, the United States, and Canada—symbolising unity and celebration ahead of the tournament.
One of the most talked-about moments in the teaser was the appearance of official match balls from the 2006, 2010, and 2014 World Cups. This nostalgic inclusion is widely interpreted as a tribute to Shakira’s earlier contributions to football culture, evoking memories of some of the sport’s most iconic musical moments.
The upcoming anthem continues Shakira’s longstanding legacy with World Cup music, where she has repeatedly delivered global hits that transcend the sporting arena. Her ability to merge infectious melodies with international appeal has consistently made her a defining voice of the tournament.
Shakira’s World Cup Anthems
| Year | Tournament Host | Song Title | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Germany | Hips Don’t Lie | Global Latin pop breakthrough |
| 2010 | South Africa | Waka Waka | Afro-inspired global anthem |
| 2014 | Brazil | La La La | Festive, dance-driven track |
| 2026 | North America | Dai Dai | Latin–Afrobeat fusion collaboration |
The full release of “Dai Dai” is scheduled for 14 May, and anticipation continues to build following the teaser’s success. Early reactions suggest that the song could become one of the defining musical highlights of the tournament.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from 11 June to 19 July, featuring an expanded format with 48 participating teams for the first time in the competition’s history. With excitement already mounting, Shakira’s latest anthem is expected to play a significant role in setting the emotional tone of the global football spectacle.