Pop icon Shakira teams up with Nigerian star Burna Boy for Dai Dai, the official anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, released just weeks before the tournament begins. This marks Shakira’s continued involvement with the event, following her contributions in 2010 and 2014.
Song Release and FIFA’s Vision
Shakira announced the track’s debut on Friday via social media, captioning her post: “Dai Dai is here. The @fifaworldcup 2026 starts now!” She had earlier shared a one-minute teaser clip. FIFA highlights Dai Dai as a dynamic blend of worldwide rhythms that honors football, culture, and global unity. All royalties from the song directly fund the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
Expanded 2026 Tournament Details
The 2026 World Cup expands to 48 teams and kicks off on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The final takes place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Star-Studded Halftime Show
Shakira headlines the first-ever World Cup final halftime performance, joined by Madonna and South Korean group BTS. Coldplay’s Chris Martin, who curates the event, unveiled the lineup in a social media video featuring Sesame Street and Muppet characters. FIFA President Gianni Infantino first outlined the plans last March and recently shared updates on Instagram.
The production may extend past the standard 15-minute break, aiming to generate $100 million for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund to boost education and football access for children worldwide. MetLife Stadium previously hosted a FIFA halftime show during last summer’s Club World Cup final.
Shakira’s World Cup Legacy
Dai Dai builds on Shakira’s past hits: Waka Waka for the 2010 South Africa tournament, which sold over 4 million copies and remains the top-selling World Cup song, and La La La for 2014 in Brazil. Such halftime spectacles echo major U.S. events like the Super Bowl, where Shakira performed with Jennifer Lopez in 2020 and Madonna headlined in 2012.
