Two of the world's most prominent musical artists have collaborated on the official anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Shakira and Burna Boy released 'Dai Dai' on streaming platforms Friday, marking the Colombian singer's fourth association with soccer's premier tournament.
FIFA described the track as capturing 'the energy, passion and global spirit that will define the greatest show on earth.' The organization announced that royalties from the song will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million for children's education and soccer opportunities by the conclusion of the tournament on July 19, 2026.
The song's title derives from an enthusiastic Italian expression meaning 'come on, come on,' and the lyrics incorporate English, Japanese, French, and Spanish equivalents. The track merges Afrobeats with Latin Pop, performed primarily in English with Spanish elements, and includes references to legendary soccer players such as Pelé, Maradona, Maldini, Romário, and Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as participating nations including Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia, the United States, England, Germany, and France.
Eduardo Herrera, an associate professor of ethnomusicology at Indiana University whose research focuses on soccer chants and fandoms, observed that the collaboration represents a strategic effort by FIFA. 'I think this is purposefully FIFA's effort to have a successful song by bringing in artists that they know [are] going to appeal to at least two large numbers of the population, the Latin population and the sub-Saharan African population,' Herrera stated.
Burna Boy, a Nigerian singer credited with bringing Afrobeats to mainstream audiences through hits like 'Last Last,' achieved historic milestones as the first solo Nigerian artist to win a Grammy Award for best global music album in 2021 and the first African artist to sell out a United States stadium at New York's Citi Field in 2023.
Shakira's World Cup legacy extends back sixteen years to 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),' which defined the 2010 tournament and earned the Guinness World Record in January 2025 for most streamed FIFA World Cup song on Spotify, with over one billion listens. The artist also performed a special version of 'Hips Don't Lie' at the 2006 World Cup closing ceremony and 'La La La (Brazil 2014)' at the 2014 closing ceremony.
Brent Keogh, a lecturer in music and sound design at the University of Technology Sydney, explained Shakira's appeal: 'She's … good at kind of incorporating elements or gestures towards other cultures. So she can kind of pull on these things and bring it into this global pop package.'
FIFA announced earlier this week that Shakira will headline the first-ever halftime show at this year's World Cup final in New Jersey, alongside Madonna and K-pop band BTS. The performance will likely feature 'Dai Dai' for the global audience.
The evolution of World Cup music reflects broader changes in global popular culture. Music has accompanied the tournament since its 1930 debut, initially featuring local musicians or national teams. In the 1990s, FIFA transitioned toward more globally oriented songs, with Ricky Martin's 'La Copa de la Vida' from the 1998 World Cup serving as a watershed moment that helped launch the late 1990s Latin music explosion in mainstream American markets.
Herrera noted that 'Waka Waka' in 2010 initiated a shift toward Latin songs incorporating Afrobeats and Afrofusion influences. Subsequent official songs included 'We Are One (Ole Ola)' by Pitbull featuring Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte in 2014, and 'Live It Up' by Nicky Jam featuring Will Smith and Era Istrefi in 2018.
The 2022 tournament departed from tradition by releasing a broader FIFA album rather than a single official song. The first single, 'Hayya Hayya (Better Together)' performed by Trinidad Cardona, Davido, and Aisha, competed with unofficial anthems, most notably 'Muchachos,' which Argentine supporters adopted as their rallying cry throughout their championship run.
FIFA is releasing an official 2026 World Cup album featuring artists from the tournament's host nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Released tracks include 'Lighter' by Jelly Roll and Carín León, 'Por Ella' by Los Ángeles Azules and Belinda, and 'Illuminate' by Jessie Reyez and Elyanna.
Herrera emphasized the unpredictable nature of World Cup musical culture. '[There is a] tension between the official things that FIFA's trying to present and then what the crowds are going to bring into that picture. You have a bunch of songs and it's always a little unpredictable to know which one is going to be the hit.'
The tournament runs from June 11 through July 19, 2026, with matches hosted across North America. As headlines have focused on political turmoil, high ticket prices, and fan boycotts, Herrera anticipates that musical culture may flourish outside stadiums. 'There's a certain kind of a festive atmosphere that is going to be created outside the stadium, even perhaps more than inside the stadium, simply because it's so expensive to go inside,' he observed.
