When Shakira and Afrobeats heavyweight Burna Boy teamed up for the tournament’s official anthem, “Dai Dai,” expectations were sky-high. After all, Shakira is the undisputed queen of soccer anthems. But what the duo delivered isn’t just a catchy sports track—it is a masterclass in global pop music that is currently storming music charts from Argentina to Japan.
Here is how a single track managed to unite the entire world ahead of the opening whistle.
The Meaning Behind “Dai Dai”
If you’ve been shouting the chorus without knowing what it means, you aren’t alone.
The title “Dai Dai” is actually an Italian slang exclamation that translates to “Come on!” or “Let’s go!” It’s a passionate, high-energy exhortation commonly heard in Italian sports, used to push athletes to give it their absolute all. By leaning into this universal sporting sentiment, Shakira and Burna Boy captured the exact adrenaline rush of the World Cup before a single ball was even kicked.
A Linguistic Masterpiece: 5 Languages, 1 Song
In an era where music is more global than ever, “Dai Dai” sets a staggering new benchmark. The song seamlessly weaves together five different languages:
- English
- Spanish
- Italian
- French
- Japanese
By blending these languages into one cohesive rhythm, the track eliminates borders entirely, ensuring that fans in Tokyo, Paris, Rome, Lagos, and Mexico City all hear a piece of themselves in the tournament’s definitive track.
The Secret Avengers of Pop
While Shakira and Burna Boy are the voices driving the hit, the brains behind the curtain are a certified musical dream team. “Dai Dai” was co-written and produced alongside pop geniuses Jon Bellion, Ed Sheeran, Benny Adam, and Alexander Castillo.
Charting from Day One
The track was released on May 15, amid heavy rumors that FIFA rushed its release to satisfy fans who were underwhelmed by other early tracks on the tournament’s official album. If that was the strategy, it worked beautifully.
“Dai Dai” immediately exploded across international airplay and streaming platforms. It quickly nabbed the #1 spot on the Latin America Anglo Airplay charts, dominated the airplay charts in Ecuador and Suriname, and secured top-5 positioning across Central America, Chile, and Colombia.
A Star-Studded Music Video
The global hype only amplified with the release of the song’s official music video, directed by industry icon Hannah Lux Davis. Filmed in Miami, the visual serves as a massive love letter to soccer culture, opening with unmissable cameos from the sport’s biggest icons: Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland.
The video also features a stunning, animated sequence of Shakira standing atop Mexico City’s iconic Angel of Independence—a perfect nod to the host nation welcoming the world.
The World Cup is Just the Beginning
For Shakira, “Dai Dai” marks her fourth official World Cup contribution, cementing her legacy alongside past triumphs like “Waka Waka” and “La La La.”
But the multi-lingual anthem is just the opening act for what promises to be an unforgettable summer. For fans already hooked on the track, the real spectacle arrives on July 19, 2026, when Shakira will join forces with Madonna and K-pop titans BTS for FIFA’s first-ever final halftime show at MetLife Stadium.
