Shakira and Burna Boy to perform official anthem for 2026 World Cup

Shakira has announced that her new collaboration with Nigerian artist Burna Boy, titled “Dai Dai”, will serve as the official anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The announcement marks Shakira’s return to one of football’s most recognisable musical traditions after previously becoming closely associated with the tournament through earlier global hits.

For the 2026 edition, the Colombian singer has teamed up with Burna Boy in a partnership designed to combine Latin sounds with African rhythms ahead of the competition in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The project immediately attracted attention across both the football and music worlds, with supporters already anticipating another major World Cup anthem capable of dominating stadiums and international charts.

Shakira has long maintained a strong connection with football audiences through songs linked to major tournaments.

Her earlier releases, including “Waka Waka” and “Hips Don’t Lie”, became internationally recognised tracks and helped strengthen her reputation as one of the artists most associated with football celebrations.

The addition of Burna Boy introduces a different musical dimension to the project, bringing Afrobeats influences into the official soundtrack of the competition.

The Nigerian artist has become one of Africa’s most successful international performers in recent years and is expected to play a major role in shaping the identity of the song.

The collaboration is being presented as a blend of cultures and musical styles intended to reflect the global nature of the World Cup.

FIFA is expected to use the anthem as part of its wider efforts to celebrate diversity and unity during the 2026 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by three countries for the first time.

“Dai Dai” is expected to combine energetic rhythms, a memorable chorus and choreography designed to connect with supporters around the world.

The song is also being positioned as a major cultural feature of the tournament before a ball has even been kicked.

With football and music traditionally closely linked during World Cups, official songs often become symbolic parts of the competition’s identity and remain associated with memorable moments long after tournaments end.

The involvement of Burna Boy is also likely to strengthen the song’s popularity across African audiences, where Afrobeats has continued to expand its global reach.

For many supporters, the partnership represents a meeting point between two major musical worlds.

Shakira’s experience with football anthems and Burna Boy’s influence in contemporary African music have created expectations of a track capable of reaching audiences far beyond football supporters alone.

The song is expected to follow the tradition of previous World Cup anthems that aimed to unite supporters through music before and during the competition.

Organisers appear confident that the combination of Latin pop and Afrobeats can produce another memorable soundtrack for football’s biggest tournament.

Attention is now turning towards the official release of both the song and its accompanying music video.

Fans are expected to discover the full version closer to the beginning of the tournament, with anticipation already growing on social media following the announcement.

The music video is also expected to play an important role in promoting the competition globally, particularly given the international popularity of both artists.

The 2026 World Cup will be staged across Canada, the United States and Mexico, making it one of the largest editions of the tournament in FIFA history.

The anthem is therefore expected to become part of a worldwide campaign surrounding the competition and its cultural identity.

For Shakira, the project represents another return to the global football stage.

For Burna Boy, it marks a major milestone in his international career and further highlights the growing influence of African music on worldwide events.

Together, the two artists are expected to deliver one of the most talked-about musical collaborations linked to the 2026 World Cup.