The highly anticipated official anthem for the FIFA World Cup 2026, titled “Dai Dai,” has been officially released, marking a historic cross-cultural collaboration between Nigerian Afrobeats icon Burna Boy and Colombian superstar Shakira. The song’s single cover features Shakira holding a football and Burna Boy in an open black suit jacket with diamond chains, while promotional artwork showcases Shakira smiling on a football pitch with colorful FIFA World Cup match balls.

This track represents Burna Boy’s debut on an official FIFA World Cup anthem, a significant milestone for the Afrobeats star. For Shakira, it is her second time contributing to a World Cup anthem, following her globally recognized “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” from the 2010 tournament held in South Africa, cementing her legacy in global football celebrations.

“Dai Dai” is a nearly four-minute track that masterfully blends diverse musical genres, including Afrobeats, dance-pop, and reggaetón. Its chorus is particularly notable for its multilingual rallying cry, incorporating phrases in five languages: Japanese, Spanish, French, English, and Italian, with the words “Dai, dai, ikou, dale, allez, let’s go.” Lyrically, the song serves as a heartfelt tribute to football and the passionate individuals who play it. Shakira initiates the track with the evocative line, “You knew from the day you were born, that here in this place you belong,” while Burna Boy follows with an inspirational message: “Go follow your desire, where there’s a will there’s a way.” The artists also pay homage to football legends such as Maradona, Maldini, Ronaldo, Beckham, Kaká, and Messi, and give shout-outs to various participating countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, the United States, and the Netherlands.

Beyond its musical appeal, “Dai Dai” carries a philanthropic mission. Royalties generated from the song will be directed towards the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. This initiative aims to raise $100 million by the end of the tournament to ensure children worldwide gain access to quality education and the opportunity to engage with football.

Africa’s presence at the 2026 FIFA World Cup extends significantly beyond the official anthem. A record-breaking ten African teams have successfully qualified for this tournament, showcasing the continent’s growing football prowess. These qualified nations include Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Ghana, Algeria, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde, South Africa, and DR Congo.

In terms of performances, the tournament promises a star-studded lineup. Tyla and Rema are slated to perform at the US opening ceremony, which will take place at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on June 12. They will share the stage with other global music icons such as Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, and LISA. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to commence on June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and will conclude on July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium. A highlight of the closing events will be the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show, co-headlined by Shakira, Madonna, and BTS. “Dai Dai” is expected to be a prominent soundtrack throughout the entire tournament.