The ‘Queen of World Cups’ is back again. On Thursday, Shakira shared a teaser of “Dai Dai,” the official anthem for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Filmed at the legendary Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, the clip features the Colombian alongside a global troupe of dancers, announcing her return to the world’s biggest sporting stage. Collaborating with Nigerian Afrobeats heavyweight Burna Boy, the track is already being regarded as the sonic heartbeat of the upcoming tournament in the US, Mexico, and Canada which will be held from June 11 to July 19.
The 49-year-old posted a video on Instagram on Thursday in which she appears alongside a group of dancers dressed in the colours of several of the national teams taking part in the tournament. The video also features the official match balls from the 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups, apparently referencing the tournaments in which Shakira played a prominent role musically.
Why is Shakira known as the Queen of World Cups?
The Latin pop star had also performed the official song for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa – Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).
She performed her hit Hips Don’t Lie and La La La (Brazil 2014) during ceremonies at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and 2014 tournament in Brazil respectively.
What Does the FIFA World Cup Anthem “Dai Dai” Mean?
The title “Dai Dai” is a spirited Italian expression that translates to “Come on, come on” or “Go for it.” In the small teaser the lyrics of the song featured lines,“Knew from the day you were born. Here in this place, you belong. You’ve been this brave all along. What broke you once made you strong” which frames perfectly with the World Cup as a journey. Musically, it’s a mix of Shakira’s Latin-pop roots and Burna Boy’s Afrobeats, creating a sound that fits the multicultural energy of the host countries: the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
The song is dropping on May 14, however, the tournament kicks off on June 11, 2026, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. “Dai Dai” is expected to lead the opening festivities, setting the tone for a month of football that will eventually wrap up with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Anthem Details:
| Category | Details |
| New Anthem Title | “Dai Dai” |
| Singer | Shakira with Burna Boy |
| Official Release Date | May 14, 2026 |
| Tournament Kick-off | June 11, 2026 (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City) |
| Tournament Final | July 19, 2026 (MetLife Stadium, New Jersey) |
| Host Nations | United States, Mexico, Canada |
(With inputs from Reuters)
