FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) has officially confirmed that “Dai Dai,” featuring Colombian singer Shakira and Nigerian artist Burna Boy, will be the official song for the World Cup 2026.
The announcement was made on Friday, with FIFA describing the track as a celebration of football, culture and global unity through music.
The release marks Shakira’s return to football’s biggest stage more than a decade after her iconic 2010 World Cup anthem Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), widely regarded as one of the most memorable songs in tournament history.
“Dai Dai” blends multiple musical influences, including Afrobeats, dance-pop, reggaetón and world beats to create an energetic and uplifting soundtrack ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The nearly four-minute track also carries motivational themes aimed at players and football fans around the world.
FIFA confirmed that the song has been released across major global streaming platforms, while proceeds from royalties will contribute to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which supports educational initiatives worldwide.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by the United States of America (USA), Canada and Mexico from
11 Jun to 19 July.
KARACHI: Shakira has stepped back from performing at the glittering opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar due to personal reasons.
With the biggest football event of the year just around the corner, the famous ‘Waka Waka’ singer has changed her mind and decided to withdraw her name from the list of performers at Sunday’s opening ceremony, reported Spain’s Marca Magazine.
According to Marca, the claim about the Columbian singer’s purported withdrawal from the opening ceremony was made on the show El programa de Ana Rosa.
“It’s been confirmed to me that Shakirawill not perform at the opening ceremony, but they won’t say if she will have another role throughout the World Cup,” said Adriana Dorronsoro quoted Spanish news outlet.
The report further added that Sandra Aladro, another contributor to the Telecinco program, also confirmed the development after speaking to Shakira’s entourage.
“They have confirmed that she won’t be performing,” Aladro said. “She was going to be a guest performer, now she will have to send a statement to explain everything.”
It is pertinent to mention here that the colourful opening ceremony of the magaevent will take place on November 20, ahead of the opening Group A match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador.
Shakira set the stage alight with her mythical ‘Waka Waka’ song in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and ever since she has been ruling football fans’ hearts all around the globe.
