Colombian star Shakira and Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy have unveiled “Dai Dai,” the official anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The multilingual track, which weaves English, Spanish, Italian, French and Japanese lyrics, carries a message of perseverance and unity, urging listeners to overcome adversity on the road to success.
All royalties from “Dai Dai” will be directed to FIFA’s Global Citizen Education Fund, a programme that seeks to raise $100 million to broaden access to quality education and football opportunities for children worldwide. Shakira, who has long championed education, said the initiative merges her two lifelong passions—songwriting and school building—into a single purpose.
Speaking about the anthem, Shakira contrasted the atmosphere surrounding her 2010 World Cup hit “Waka Waka” with today’s more fragmented global climate. “When ‘Waka Waka’ came out, the world felt different. Now we live in a divided, fractured world, and it’s essential that people come together,” she said. “Education is the common cause that can transform societies, and children hold the power to change reality.”
Burna Boy echoed the sentiment, highlighting the song’s cross‑cultural appeal. “Music and football speak the same language,” he noted, adding that the collaboration reflects a shared desire to inspire hope across continents.
In addition to the anthem, Shakira is slated to headline the inaugural halftime show of the tournament’s final, scheduled for 19 July at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. She will be joined onstage by pop icon Madonna and South Korean boy band BTS, marking a rare convergence of global music superstars at a single sporting event.
The release of “Dai Dai” signals a shift in World Cup music, moving from purely celebratory anthems to tracks that embed social purpose. By funneling proceeds to the education fund, the artists aim to leverage the tournament’s massive audience to drive tangible change for children.
As the countdown to the 2026 World Cup continues, the partnership between Shakira, Burna Boy and FIFA underscores the growing expectation that major sporting events serve as platforms for broader humanitarian goals. The impact of the fund’s target‑raising effort will become clearer in the months ahead, but the collaboration already illustrates how sport and music can jointly amplify advocacy for education across Africa and the wider world.
