FIFA drops 2026 World Cup anthem starring Shakira and Burna Boy

ZURICH: Colombian singer Shakira and Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy have teamed up for “Dai Dai,” the official song of the FIFA World Cup 2026, blending Latin and Afrobeats influences into a multilingual global pop track, FIFA said.

The song, released as the tournament’s official anthem, features a mix of Afrobeats and Latin rhythms and includes lyrical references to several participating nations and footballing powers.

In one verse, Shakira lists countries including Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Japan, South Korea and the Netherlands.

After the opening chorus, Shakira and Burna Boy trade verses before joining in a duet, the track alternating between English and multilingual influences.

The release comes shortly after FIFA announced that Shakira, Madonna and K-pop group BTS will headline the tournament’s first-ever final halftime show on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The lineup was curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

The show will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million to improve children’s access to education and football.

Shakira first teased “Dai Dai” last week with a video clip filmed at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, where she is seen dancing on the pitch and singing a preview of the track’s opening verse.

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, which remains one of the most popular tournament anthems.

FIFA said it regularly collaborates with global brands and artists on official and promotional tracks for its flagship tournament. In March, Coca-Cola released its own World Cup anthem, a reworking of Van Halen’s “Jump,” featuring Colombian singer J Balvin alongside Travis Barker, Amber Mark and Steve Vai.

The World Cup 2026 will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico during June and July.