Shakira has given special shout-outs to Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and a host of other football legends in “Dai Dai,” the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
On the evening of May 14, the Colombian superstar released the full version of her highly anticipated collaboration with famous Nigerian artist Burna Boy. Towards the end of the track, she sings in Spanish: “Go ahead, don’t forget your worth. Play the way you always play. Like who you are.”
Honoring Football Legends
Following that verse, Shakira and Burna Boy recite the names of football icons spanning multiple generations: Pelé, Maradona, Maldini, Romário, Cristiano Ronaldo, El Pibe (Carlos Valderrama), Iniesta, Beckham, Kaká, Messi, Mbappé, and Salah.
Among those mentioned, Ronaldo, Messi, Mbappé, and Salah will be actively competing in this year’s tournament. Notably, Ronaldo has already confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will be the final World Cup of his career at the age of 41.
A Catchy Return to Form
Billboard magazine praised the track for highlighting sportsmanship and delivering an inspiring message to both players and fans. The catchy melody is a vibrant blend of dance-pop, Afrobeats, and reggaetón.
On YouTube, fans flooded the comments section with praise: “She brings back the Waka Waka vibes, making us so nostalgic,” one user wrote. Another added, “From the very first notes, I could already picture the pitch.” A third commented, “We are so lucky Shakira saved the day when World Cup songs were getting increasingly boring.” This is in stark contrast to “Lighter,” the first World Cup song released by FIFA this year, which was widely criticized for lacking energy.
A Historic Halftime Show
This year, Shakira will make history by performing at the first-ever World Cup final halftime show. The monumental event is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New York (New Jersey). She will be co-headlining the highly anticipated 11-minute performance alongside pop icon Madonna and global K-pop sensation BTS.
The Undisputed “Queen of World Cup Music”
Shakira has long been dubbed the “Queen of World Cup Music” thanks to massive global hits like “Hips Don’t Lie (Bamboo)” and “Waka Waka.”
- Waka Waka (2010): The official song of the South Africa tournament remains the best-selling World Cup single in history with over 10 million copies sold and currently boasts 4.5 billion views on YouTube. According to NBC, the famous “Zamina mina” chorus is a remix of the 1986 military song “Zangaléwa” by the Cameroonian group Golden Sounds. After an initial copyright dispute was settled, the track became a timeless symbol of the tournament.
- Hips Don’t Lie – Bamboo Version (2006): Even though it wasn’t the official anthem for the tournament in Germany, it is widely considered one of the greatest World Cup songs ever. According to Billboard, it topped the charts in 55 countries. The “Bamboo” version was specially remixed with heavier drum beats for her live performance before the final in Berlin.
Personal Life and Tournament Details
Shakira, 49, is one of Colombia’s most famous vocalists, winning numerous prestigious music awards and setting several Guinness World Records throughout her career. Following her highly publicized split from former footballer Gerard Piqué, she was romantically linked to F1 driver Lewis Hamilton. In April 2024, media reports also suggested she was dating British actor Lucien Laviscount after they collaborated on the “Puntería” music video.
The 2026 World Cup will officially kick off on June 11 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The grand finale will take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which will be temporarily rebranded as the “New York New Jersey Stadium” for the duration of the tournament.
