Shakira is back in World Cup mode, and fans think she may have rescued the tournament soundtrack before it could go wrong.
The Colombian superstar has unveiled ‘Dai Dai’, the official song for the 2026 World Cup, in collaboration with Burna Boy. The reaction online was almost immediate. After years of fans comparing every tournament anthem to ‘Waka Waka’, many are saying FIFA went back to the one artist who actually understands the assignment.
Shakira first became part of World Cup music history with ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ at the 2006 closing ceremony. Then came ‘Waka Waka’ for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, a song that is still treated like the gold standard of football anthems. She returned in 2014 with ‘La La La’. Now, after 12 years away from the World Cup music spotlight, she is back.
Shakira Returns With ‘Dai Dai’
Shakira teased the ‘Dai Dai’ music video with a clip filmed inside Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
The teaser opens with four footballs, each representing one of the four World Cups she has contributed to. It then builds toward fireworks and an aerial shot of the stadium with the words “We Are Ready” displayed across it.
That was enough for fans to decide one thing: Shakira still owns the World Cup song category.
One fan wrote, “This sounds so good that we should already give Shakira a lifetime pension, so she can make all the World Cup songs.” Another said, “Shakira stepping in like one of The Avengers to save this World Cup.” A third added, “Nobody besides Shakira should ever be making the World Cup song and I feel strongly about this.” One more fan put it simply: “A Shakira song during a World Cup year is what everyone needs.”
Fans Say She Saved FIFA From Another Weak Anthem
The excitement says a lot about Shakira’s hold on World Cup culture. Tournament songs can be risky. When they miss, fans drag them fast. When they hit, they become part of the entire summer.
That is why the internet’s reaction to ‘Dai Dai’ has been so loud. Fans are not just praising the song. They are joking that Shakira came back like emergency support after years of uneven football anthems.
The Burna Boy collaboration also gives the track a global feel, which matters for a tournament spread across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Colombia Is Also Heading To The Tournament
Shakira’s home country, Colombia, has also qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Colombia will face DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Portugal in the group stage.
The tournament’s expanded 48-team format means the top two teams in each of the 12 groups will move forward, along with the eight best third-place teams.
Still, for many fans, the early winner is already clear. Shakira is back, and the internet thinks FIFA finally made the safest possible call.
