What's happened
Shakira has teased the FIFA World Cup 2026 official song, Dai Dai, from Maracanã Stadium. The release ties to the 2026 tournament kicking off June 11 in Mexico City and culminates with the final on July 19 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
What's behind the headline?
Analysis
- The push to attach a high-profile artist to the 2026 World Cup underscores FIFA’s ongoing strategy to blend sport with global pop culture, a move that can broaden the event’s appeal beyond traditional football audiences.
- The duel between Shakira’s involvement and Coca-Cola’s separate anthem track indicates competing commercial interests in official and unofficial World Cup music branding.
- The teaser format builds anticipation while allowing controlled media leaks, likely maximizing social engagement ahead of the full release.
- Expect increased attention on the June 11 opener and the July 19 final as fans anticipate how the song might shape the tournament’s cultural narrative.
How we got here
Shakira’s Dai Dai follows her World Cup history, including 2010’s Waka Waka. The 2026 tournament will be hosted across the US, Mexico, and Canada, with a variety of performances and a Coca-Cola–backed anthem distinct from Dai Dai.
Our analysis
New York Times: Emmanuel Morgan reports on World Cup 2026’s halftime show and global branding; The Independent and AP News cover Shakira’s teaser Dai Dai and its ties to the 2026 World Cup.
Go deeper
- Will the song influence viewership for opening matches?
- How will Dai Dai compare to past World Cup anthems in popularity?
- Which artists will join Shakira at the finals’ performances?
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Shakira - Colombian singer
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll is a Colombian singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, actress, and philanthropist. Born and raised in Barranquilla, Shakira has been referred to as the Queen of Latin Music and is noted for her versatility in music.
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Burna Boy - Nigerian singer
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, known professionally as Burna Boy, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He rose to prominence in 2012 after releasing "Like to Party", the lead single from his debut studio album L.I.F.E.