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Colombian pop star Shakira and Nigerian Afrobeats artist Burna Boy have released "Dai Dai," the official song for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to multiple news reports. The track, whose title is Italian for "Let's go," was announced via a minute-long teaser clip shared on social media, with the full song set for release on May 14, as reported by Africa News and Deutsche Welle.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting on the song's release has been consistent across outlets, though details have varied. Africa News described "Dai Dai" as a joint release by Shakira and Burna Boy, emphasizing the song's message about overcoming hardship and its philanthropic angle. Deutsche Welle focused on Shakira's promotional video shot at Rio de Janeiro's Maracanã Stadium, where she appears with dancers dressed in the colors of participating national teams. A separate Africa News report highlighted the teaser and clarified that "Dai Dai" should not be confused with Coca-Cola's official anthem for the tournament, a reimagining of Van Halen's "Jump" featuring J Balvin and others.

Key Claims

  • The song and its release: Shakira and Burna Boy have released "Dai Dai," the official World Cup song, with the full version arriving May 14, as reported by both Africa News and Deutsche Welle. The teaser clip was posted on social media from the Maracanã Stadium, where Shakira had drawn a large crowd for a free concert the previous weekend.
  • The title and lyrics: The title "Dai Dai" is Italian for "Let's go," while the chorus also includes the Spanish phrase "dale, ale," meaning "Go on" or "We can do it," according to Africa News. The song features lyrics in English and Spanish, with phrases in Italian, French, and Japanese, as noted in one Africa News report.
  • The message: The track carries a message about overcoming hardship to reach success, a theme reflected in lyrics like "What broke you once made you strong," as quoted by Africa News and Deutsche Welle.
  • Philanthropy: Shakira will donate all proceeds from "Dai Dai" to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million to expand access to education and football for children, according to Africa News. Shakira was quoted saying education has been "pretty much my cause since I was 18 years old."
  • Halftime performance: Shakira is due to perform at the tournament's first-ever halftime show during the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, joined by Madonna and BTS, as reported by Africa News.
  • World Cup history: Shakira's previous official World Cup song was "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" for the 2010 tournament in South Africa, a point noted by both Africa News and Deutsche Welle. She also performed at the 2006 and 2014 World Cup finals, according to Deutsche Welle.
  • Tournament details: The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11 with Mexico facing South Africa at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, as reported by all sources. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium, per Africa News.

Perspectives

Shakira's comments, as quoted by Africa News, frame the song as a unifying force in a divided world: "We need to find a common cause. And that cause, the one thing that everyone agrees on I hope, is the importance of watching after our kids." She contrasted the current climate with the release of "Waka Waka," noting the atmosphere then was "totally different." The reports also position "Dai Dai" within a broader slate of World Cup music, with Africa News clarifying the distinction from Coca-Cola's anthem, suggesting a competitive landscape for official and commercial songs tied to the tournament.