Shakira to perform 2026 World Cup anthem after Waka Waka success

Colombian pop star Shakira will release the official song for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking her second time in the role after her 2010 hit Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) became a global phenomenon, Danish broadcaster DR reports.

The new track, Dai Dai, a collaboration with Nigerian afrobeats artist Burna Boy, will serve as the anthem for the tournament hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, beginning June 11. FIFA’s decision to again tap Shakira—now 49—follows her past World Cup contributions, including performances at the 2006 final and the 2014 Brazil anthem La La La.

Music analyst and Danish radio host Kasper Reippurt called Shakira an ideal choice, citing her ability to bridge cultures. “I associate the World Cup with celebration, a cross-cultural festival beyond politics or economics—and that’s what Shakira embodies,” he told DR. “She taps into nostalgia for some while staying relevant today.”

Her recent May 2 free concert in Rio de Janeiro drew over two million attendees, underscoring her enduring global appeal.

DR Sports football expert Andreas Kraul recalled Waka Waka’s ubiquity during the 2010 tournament in South Africa, where he covered the event. “It played everywhere—airports, stadiums, taxis. I tallied 18 encounters with the song in a single day,” he said. “When these anthems hit, they define a summer.”

Danish musician Søren Poppe, who co-wrote Danmarks Drenge for Denmark’s 2002 World Cup campaign, stressed the challenge of crafting a universal hit. “It must be uplifting, singable, and focused on unity—not the artist’s ego,” he said. “You’re aiming for something that resonates across cultures. That’s no small task.”

Reippurt praised Dai Dai’s multilingual approach, blending English with phrases in Japanese, French, and Italian. “The rhythm carries it even if you don’t understand the words,” he noted, though he cautioned that the song’s legacy may hinge on the tournament’s broader narrative. “Political tensions or historic moments can shape how we remember it—just as Waka Waka benefited from being tied to Africa’s first World Cup.”