Shakira unveiled the official FIFA World Cup 2026 anthem on Wednesday, and the football world didn’t waste any time responding.
The song is “DAI DAI,” and the music video hit Instagram with real momentum. The announcement post crossed 3.4 million likes, a striking response for what’s essentially a song reveal.
The video’s star power is hard to overstate. Shakira gathered 12 of world football’s current greats for the project. Lionel Messi is there. So are Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. The full roster also includes Vinicius Jr., Christian Pulisic, Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, Luis Díaz, Rodri, Takefusa Kubo, Alphonso Davies, and Santiago Giménez.
Messi is arguably the biggest sporting name on the planet right now. His presence in the video gives “DAI DAI” an immediate connection to fans across dozens of countries. Add Mbappé and Haaland, and you’ve got three of the most talked-about players in the world sharing a single project.
Shakira’s Instagram caption kept it short and excited. “We’re Ready! The official video for DAI DAI, the FIFA World Cup Official 2026 song is here!” she wrote. She followed it with a personal thank-you to every player.
This is the second time Shakira has taken on the World Cup anthem role. She first did it in 2010 with “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” for the South Africa tournament. That song was everywhere. It topped charts on multiple continents and became one of football’s most celebrated anthems. Stadiums still play it more than 15 years on. There’s something special about a song that outlives the tournament it was written for. “DAI DAI” is now trying to do the same thing.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It’s the first edition to span three countries. By scale alone, it’s the biggest World Cup ever staged. “DAI DAI” has a lot of ground to cover.
The player lineup helps with that reach. Jamal Musiala represents Germany. Christian Pulisic is one of the United States’ most recognizable football names. Alphonso Davies anchors Canada’s side. Harry Kane captains England. This roster spans South America, Europe, and North America. It gives “DAI DAI” a truly global cast.
Shakira is a Grammy-winning artist from Barranquilla, Colombia. Her catalog spans more than two decades, and she’s one of Latin pop’s best-selling artists of all time. “Waka Waka” is already in the record books as one of the sport’s most beloved anthems. “DAI DAI” arrives with that history behind it, and a genuinely high bar to clear.
The World Cup is already underway. The official anthem has now arrived. The first-day numbers speak for themselves.
