Colombian music star Shakira and Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy have released “Dai Dai,” the official song for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, setting the stage for what organisers describe as a global celebration of football, culture and unity.
The song was officially released on Friday and is already available on major streaming platforms worldwide. Shakira announced the release to fans through her social media pages, writing: “Dai Dai is here. The @FIFAWorldCup 2026 starts now!”
In a statement shared on its official X account, FIFA said the song captures the “energy, passion and global spirit” expected at the 2026 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
According to FIFA, “Dai Dai” is not just a tournament anthem but also part of a wider charity campaign tied to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. The organisation said proceeds from the song would help raise $100 million before the end of the tournament to provide children around the world with access to education and football opportunities.
FIFA also disclosed that Shakira would donate her royalties from the song to the education fund, while Sony Music would support the initiative by matching the first $250,000 raised.
The song blends Afrobeats, pop and Latin sounds, reflecting the growing influence of African music on the global stage. Over the past decade, Afrobeats has become one of the world’s fastest-growing music genres, with Nigerian stars increasingly collaborating with international artistes and performing on major global platforms.
For Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ogulu, the collaboration is another major milestone in a career that has seen him rise from a Nigerian music star to a global entertainer. The Grammy-winning singer has built a strong international reputation through hit songs, sold-out concerts and collaborations with leading global musicians.
His involvement in the FIFA World Cup anthem also highlights Nigeria’s growing presence in global sports entertainment. Although the Nigerian national team is still battling for qualification hopes ahead of the tournament, Nigerian music continues to play a major role in FIFA-related events.
This marks the second time a Nigerian artiste has featured on an official FIFA World Cup song. In 2022, Nigerian singer Davido appeared on “Hayya Hayya (Better Together),” one of the official songs for the Qatar World Cup, alongside American singer Trinidad Cardona and Qatari singer AISHA.
“Dai Dai” carries motivational lyrics focused on resilience, ambition and unity, themes often associated with football and international competition. The song celebrates football’s power to unite people across cultures and borders.
Several football legends and current stars were mentioned in the lyrics, including Pelé, Diego Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Mohamed Salah.
The track also references several football-loving nations, including Brazil, Argentina, England, France, Germany, South Africa, Spain, Mexico, Japan and the United States, reflecting FIFA’s attempt to make the tournament feel truly global.
For Shakira, the new release marks another return to the World Cup stage after the huge success of her earlier football songs. Her 2010 World Cup hit, Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), became one of the most successful football anthems ever recorded and remains popular years after the South Africa tournament.
She also released La La La for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Both songs helped strengthen her connection with football fans around the world.
Many football supporters still remember “Waka Waka” because it was closely linked with Africa’s first-ever FIFA World Cup hosted in South Africa in 2010. The song became an anthem of hope, celebration and African pride during the tournament.
With Burna Boy now joining Shakira on “Dai Dai,” many Nigerians see the collaboration as another sign that African music and culture are gaining stronger recognition on the world stage.
Meanwhile, FIFA also announced that Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema will headline the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026.
The announcement means Nigeria will have a strong musical presence at one of the world’s biggest sporting events, despite uncertainty surrounding the Super Eagles’ qualification campaign.
FIFA further revealed that Shakira would co-headline the final halftime show on July 19, 2026. The performance will mark the first halftime show in FIFA World Cup final history, a move many observers say was influenced by the popularity of halftime entertainment during the American Super Bowl.
According to FIFA, the halftime show will bring together major global artistes “at the intersection of sport, culture and purpose” while supporting the education fund campaign.
The football body added that “Dai Dai” is part of a larger World Cup music project already underway ahead of the tournament. Other songs released from the official FIFA World Cup 2026 album include “Lighter,” “Por Ella,” “Echo” and “Illuminate,” with more songs expected in the coming months.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be the biggest in the competition’s history, with 48 countries participating for the first time. Matches will be played across host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
As preparations continue for the tournament, FIFA appears determined to use music, entertainment and global stars to build excitement early and connect with younger audiences around the world.
For many Nigerian fans, however, the biggest excitement may be seeing Burna Boy and Rema carrying the country’s music industry onto one of football’s biggest stages.