Shakira and Burna Boy Make History: 'Dai Dai' Becomes the Unstoppable World Cup Anthem of Summer 2026

Shakira has done it again. The Colombian superstar, alongside Nigerian Afrobeats icon Burna Boy, has delivered "Dai Dai" — the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — and the world can't stop listening. Released on May 15, 2026, through Sony Music Latin, the track has become one of the defining songs of the summer, blending Latin pop, reggaeton, and Afrobeats into a multilingual celebration of football, unity, and perseverance. As the World Cup reaches its knockout stages in July, "Dai Dai" has surged to #1 on Spotify's Global Chart, crossed 500 million streams, and reminded everyone why Shakira remains the undisputed queen of World Cup anthems.

The Making of a Global Anthem

When FIFA tapped Shakira to create the official song for the 2026 World Cup — the first tournament ever co-hosted by three nations (the United States, Mexico, and Canada) — the choice felt almost inevitable. Shakira's history with World Cup music is legendary. Her 2010 anthem "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" remains one of the most streamed World Cup songs of all time, and her "Hips Don't Lie (Bamboo)" soundtracked the 2006 tournament.

This time, Shakira teamed up with Burna Boy, one of the most influential artists in global music today. The Nigerian superstar's Afrofusion sound — which has earned him multiple Grammy Awards and billions of streams — proved to be the perfect complement to Shakira's Latin pop energy.

The songwriting credits read like a who's who of pop craftsmanship: Shakira and Burna Boy are joined by Ed Sheeran, Jon Bellion, and Benny Adam, among others. The result is a track that feels both stadium-sized and intimately uplifting.

What Does 'Dai Dai' Mean?

The title "Dai Dai" is Italian slang — an energetic exclamation that means "come on" or "give it your all." It's the kind of phrase you'd hear from fans in the stands or players rallying on the pitch. The song embraces this spirit, weaving together English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Japanese lyrics that reflect the truly global nature of the 2026 tournament.

In one of the song's most talked-about moments, Shakira shouts out football nations from around the world: "Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia / Mexico, Japan, Korea, Netherlands." Meanwhile, the track pays tribute to football legends Pelé, Diego Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Mohamed Salah — threading the sport's past and present into a single, euphoric chorus.

Chart Domination Like Never Before

"Dai Dai" has smashed expectations. As of early July 2026, the track has:

• Reached #1 on Spotify's Global Chart — making it Shakira's third career chart-topper on the platform


• Surpassed 500 million streams across all digital platforms


• Accumulated nearly 296 million YouTube views for its official music video


• Topped the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart


• Claimed the #1 spot on iTunes in dozens of countries simultaneously

In a historic first for an official FIFA World Cup song, "Dai Dai" simultaneously hit #1 on Spotify, YouTube, and iTunes — an unprecedented trifecta that underscores the song's universal appeal. Shakira celebrated the milestone on Instagram, posting photos with her team and writing, "It's been 30 years of career, and I still celebrate it like it's the first time."

These streaming numbers have also pushed Shakira past 99 million monthly listeners on Spotify — the highest figure ever achieved by a female Latin artist on the platform. Her catalog of World Cup songs — including "Waka Waka" and "Hips Don't Lie" — has seen massive catalog growth, with Spotify reporting that more than 35 million user-generated playlists now include at least one of her World Cup tracks.

The Halftime Show That Will Change History

Perhaps the most exciting chapter of the "Dai Dai" story is still to come. On July 19, 2026, Shakira will co-headline the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. She'll share the stage with Madonna and K-pop superstars BTS — a lineup curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin that represents three generations of global pop dominance.

For fans of BTS, the opportunity to see the group perform on a World Cup stage is a milestone moment. You can explore their iconic song Dynamite on TheLyricsOf to see why they've become one of the biggest acts on the planet.

This halftime show is a landmark moment not just for the artists involved but for the World Cup itself — a tournament that has long resisted the American-style Super Bowl halftime spectacle. The collaboration between Shakira, Madonna, and BTS signals how global music and football have become inseparable.

The Music Video: A Who's Who of Football

Directed by Hannah Lux Davis (known for her work with Ariana Grande and Doja Cat), the "Dai Dai" music video was filmed in Miami and released on May 23. It opens with cameo appearances from three of the world's biggest football stars: Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland, all training with the match ball that features prominently throughout the video.

The visual is a feast of global imagery: animated reconstructions of Shakira standing over Mexico City's Ángel de la Independencia, stadium lights flashing across the screen, and dance sequences that blend Colombian, Nigerian, and contemporary pop choreography. It's a video that matches the song's ambition.

A Legacy of World Cup Anthems

To understand why "Dai Dai" resonates so deeply, it helps to look back at Shakira's World Cup journey. Her first World Cup song — "Hips Don't Lie (Bamboo)" — was performed at the 2006 tournament closing ceremony in Berlin. Then came "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)", which became the anthem of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and still racks up millions of streams daily.

In 2014, she performed "La La La (Brazil 2014)" for the tournament in Brazil. Now, in 2026, "Dai Dai" joins this remarkable lineage — and early signs suggest it could become her biggest World Cup hit yet.

With its fusion of Latin and Afrobeats rhythms, the song also reflects a broader shift in global popular music. Burna Boy's involvement signals the rising dominance of Afrobeats on the world stage, while Shakira's Latin roots have never been more celebrated. In a year when the World Cup spans three countries and 48 teams, "Dai Dai" feels like the perfect soundtrack — a song that speaks multiple languages, honors multiple cultures, and brings millions of people together.

Philanthropy and Purpose

Beyond the charts and stadiums, "Dai Dai" carries a meaningful mission. Royalties from the song support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million by the end of the tournament to improve children's access to education and sports worldwide. It's a reminder that music — and football — can drive real change.

Shakira's 2026 Tour and What's Next

Shakira is currently in the midst of the second U.S. leg of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, which launched in February 2025 and has become one of the highest-grossing tours globally. With "Dai Dai" now added to the setlist, fans at her remaining shows are treated to a live experience that bridges her legendary catalog with her newest smash.

After the World Cup final, Shakira will begin a European residency in Spain. Meanwhile, Burna Boy continues his own global run, with "Dai Dai" serving as yet another career highlight for the Afrobeats pioneer.

Conclusion

"Dai Dai" is more than just a World Cup song — it's a cultural moment. It brings together an iconic Latin pop star at the peak of her powers, an Afrobeats visionary whose influence spans continents, and the unifying energy of the world's biggest sporting event. With record-breaking streams, a historic halftime show on the horizon, and a message of unity that transcends borders, Shakira and Burna Boy have delivered a song that will define summer 2026.

Whether you're cheering from the stands in Mexico City, watching from a pub in Lagos, or streaming from your living room in Manila, "Dai Dai" invites you to join in: Let's go.