CARACAS, Venezuela (SBZ) — Just when I thought my ears couldn’t handle another knock-off sports anthem from some random YouTube sensation, the hip-shaking queen herself, Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, has ridden to our rescue like a glittery cavalry wearing a yellow top and a blue miniskirt that probably violates about fourteen health and safety codes.
On May 7, the 49-year-old Colombian pop icon unveiled “Dai Dai” as the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, collaborating once again with soccer’s biggest global stage in a move that has FIFA executives probably doing the cha-cha in their boardrooms.
What in the Name of Waka Waka Is Going On Here?
First things first: the song is called “Dai Dai,” which is Italian for “Let’s Go!” or, if you’re feeling generous, “Come On, Come On”. The irony? Italy didn’t even qualify for this year’s tournament. I’m no soccer scholar, but that’s like naming your pet fish “Flipper” and keeping it in a mason jar. But I digress.
Perched dramatically at Brazil’s legendary Maracanã Stadium — the same field where Pelé once did his thing — Shakira dropped a 67-second teaser that has already racked up a staggering 1.9 million likes in under 24 hours. In my professional opinion, that’s roughly the equivalent of every soccer mom from Portland to Perth hitting the “heart” button simultaneously.
And she didn’t come alone. The track features Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy, marking the first time the Grammy winner has lent his vocals to a World Cup project. The result is a reggaetón-tinged Afrobeat monster that sounds like someone threw a Brazilian carnival, a Colombian fiesta, and a Lagos street party into a blender and hit “puree”.
A Girl’s Gotta Have a History
This marks Shakira’s third official rodeo with FIFA, following her smash hit “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” from 2010 and her 2014 jam “La La La (Brazil 2014)”. She’s also performed at the finals in 2006 (where she did “Hips Don’t Lie”) and 2014.
At this point, I’m convinced she has a permanent dressing room inside FIFA headquarters, complete with her name on the door and a mini-fridge stocked entirely with glitter. She’s the “Queen of World Cup Music,” as Billboard rightfully crowned her, and honestly? No one’s fighting that title.
Fun fact that might surprise you: Just days before dropping the teaser, Shakira performed a free concert on Rio’s Copacabana Beach that drew over 2 million people. That’s more people than attended the entire 1930 World Cup in Uruguay. By a lot.
Deep Dive: What We Know So Far
Here’s the complete breakdown of the release:
- Official song title: “Dai Dai” (Italian for “Let’s Go”)
- Artists: Shakira featuring Burna Boy
- Release date: Thursday, May 14, 2026
- Tournament dates: June 11 to July 19, 2026
- Host nations: United States, Mexico, and Canada (first-ever three-nation co-host!)
- Number of teams: 48 (largest tournament in FIFA history)
- Number of matches: 104
- Opening match: Mexico vs. South Africa at Azteca Stadium
- Final match: July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey
The teaser video, which you can find on FIFA’s social channels, shows Shakira holding the official “Trionda” match ball while dancers wear the colors of various competing nations. The lyrics include the uplifting phrase “What once broke you made you strong,” which I suppose is Shakira’s poetic way of saying “I survived 2010’s choreography rehearsals and so can you”.
The Burning Questions You’re All Asking
Will this top “Waka Waka”?
That’s the $64 million question, isn’t it? “Waka Waka” was a genuine cultural phenomenon — the kind of song that made grandmothers in Iowa shake their hips and toddlers in Tokyo attempt to whistle. “Dai Dai” has some enormous cleats to fill. But if anyone can match that energy, it’s the woman who’s been doing this since before most of today’s players were born.
Why is the teaser set in Brazil if the World Cup is in North America?
Excellent question, hypothetical reader. Brazil’s Maracanã Stadium was chosen specifically because of Shakira’s deep history with the venue and the country — where she just performed for those aforementioned 2 million people. It’s a respect thing. Plus, have you seen January weather in New Jersey? Trust me, Rio looks better on camera.
When can I hear the full song?
May 14. Mark your calendars. Set multiple alarms. Do whatever you need to do. The full music video drops that day, and I’ll be covering it here at Showbizztoday with my usual brand of snarky enthusiasm.
The Bottom Line (Because You Need One)
Look, folks — World Cup songs are a tricky business. For every “Waka Waka,” there’s a “We Are One (Ole Ola)” that makes you secretly wish for the sweet release of a halftime whistle. But “Dai Dai” feels different. It’s got bounce, it’s got Burna Boy’s smooth vocals, and it’s got Shakira doing what Shakira does best: making you move in ways your chiropractor probably wouldn’t approve of.
The full track drops May 14. Until then, practice your hip movements. You’re going to need them.
*John David is a music reporter for Showbizztoday, a certified conga-line enthusiast, and the proud owner of a World Cup 2010 commemorative vuvuzela that he will absolutely be blasting when “Dai Dai” drops.*
Sources: World Journal, Yahoo Sports, Billboard, The Straits Times, The Express Tribune, Olympics.com, KBC, Central News Agency (CNA), The Week