When you think of the FIFA World Cup, you probably think of incredible goals, massive stadiums, and roaring crowds. But for millions of people around the world, there is one person who embodies the spirit of football’s biggest tournament just as much as the players: Shakira.
The Colombian superstar has officially become the undisputed face of World Cup entertainment. FIFA announced that she will perform the 2026 official anthem “Dai Dai” (an Italian phrase for “let’s go”) at the opening ceremony in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, sharing the stage with stars like Burna Boy, J Balvin, and Tyla. To make history, she will also headline the first-ever World Cup final halftime show at MetLife Stadium alongside Madonna and BTS.
But why does Shakira hold such a legendary status in football culture? Here is a breakdown of how the Colombian singer, songwriter, dancer, and record producer conquered the World Cup.
Shakira And FIFA World Cup – Two Decades of Unmatched Longevity
The tournament in 2026 marks Shakira’s fourth official musical campaign for the FIFA World Cup—a record unmatched by any other solo artist in the entertainment industry.
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2006 (Germany): Performed a specialized global remix of her chart-topping hit “Hips Don’t Lie” ahead of the final match between Italy and France.
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2010 (South Africa): Wrote and performed the official tournament anthem “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).”
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2014 (Brazil): Released and performed “La La La (Brazil 2014)” alongside Carlinhos Brown at the tournament’s closing ceremony.
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2026 (US, Canada, Mexico): Booked simultaneously for the opening ceremony at Estadio Azteca and the inaugural final halftime show on July 19.
How Did It All Begin?
The foundation of Shakira’s status as the face of the tournament began twenty years ago at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. While the artist did not record an original anthem for that specific edition, FIFA leveraged the unprecedented momentum of her global chart-topper “Hips Don’t Lie” (featuring Wyclef Jean) to headline the pre-match show ahead of the final between Italy and France in Berlin.
The FIFA World Cup Anthem That Changed Everything: “Waka Waka”
While Shakira first performed at a World Cup final in 2006 with her hit “Hips Don’t Lie,” it was the 2010 tournament in South Africa that cemented her legacy. She released “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” featuring the catchy chant “Tsamina mina zangalewa.”
The track became an instant global phenomenon, and the music video itself has amassed over 4.5 billion views on YouTube, maintaining its position among the most-watched music videos in global history. Furthermore, the track secured a Guinness World Record as the most-streamed FIFA World Cup song on Spotify, surpassing 1 billion streams on that platform alone.
Continuing the Legacy: From “La La La” to “Dai Dai”
Shakira’s football journey didn’t stop in South Africa. In 2014, she returned for the World Cup in Brazil, performing her hit song “La La La” at the closing ceremony.
This generated over 1.3 billion views across digital platforms. No alternative tournament anthem has ever replicated this level of statistical permanence; these songs continue to generate millions of daily streams years after the tournaments conclude.
Now, for the historic 2026 tournament—which expands to 48 teams across the US, Canada, and Mexico—FIFA is once again leaning on her star power. By booking her for both the opening match and the brand-new Super Bowl-style halftime show at the final, football’s governing body is making Shakira their ultimate lucky charm to bring global audiences together.
Collaborating with Nigerian Grammy-winner Burna Boy, the music video ‘Dai Dai’ for the track surpassed 100 million views on YouTube within just two weeks of its launch.
