Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026, Shakira Looks Back on a Lifetime of Soccer and Songs
Shakira discusses her long history with World Cup anthems and explains why the 2026 FIFA World Cup holds special meaning for fans worldwide.
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Shakira (Image: Billboard)
Shakira is already looking ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup while reflecting on her enduring connection to the world’s biggest sporting event. In a recent cover story with People, the Colombian superstar opened up about the significance of the upcoming tournament, which will culminate on July 19 at MetLife Stadium.
For the unversed, Shakira is not only the artist behind the official FIFA World Cup song for 2026, but she is also set to make history as a co-headliner of the tournament’s first-ever World Cup final halftime show alongside Madonna and BTS.
She said, “Every World Cup is really magical. I think this one is going to be all about bringing people together in this very sensitive moment in time, socially and politically.”
Earlier this year, Shakira teamed up with Nigerian artist Burna Boy for the tournament’s official anthem, “Dai Dai.” The track blends Afrobeats, dance-pop, world music influences, and reggaetón while delivering a message centered on hope, perseverance, and opportunity.
As part of the initiative launched alongside the song, all royalties from “Dai Dai” will be donated to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which helps provide educational opportunities and soccer resources for children around the world.
Explaining the inspiration behind the song, Shakira said, “It’s a message for every child who’s been told that their dream is too big. And to remind us that every champion started out as a kid who perhaps went through hardship and struggles, but there was someone that believed in them, and that’s why they didn’t give up.”
The project marks Shakira’s second official FIFA World Cup song. She previously recorded the iconic “Waka, Waka (This Time for Africa)” for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, a track that remains one of the most recognizable World Cup anthems ever released.
The song went on to become one of the most iconic World Cup anthems of the modern era. Following its release, “Waka, Waka (This Time for Africa)” enjoyed significant commercial success, reaching No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs, Latin Airplay, and Latin Pop Airplay charts in July 2010. The track also climbed to No. 38 on the Billboard Hot 100, further cementing its global appeal.
Its impact extended well beyond the World Cup, as the song spent an impressive 42 weeks at No. 1 on the Latin Digital Song Sales chart, making it the longest-running chart-topper of Shakira’s career on that ranking.
Reflecting on her long-standing relationship with the sport, Shakira said, “I have this connection with [soccer] that seems unbreakable.”
Nike’s World Cup campaign unites stars from sports, music and entertainment
As anticipation builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Nike has launched a new campaign designed to spotlight the tournament’s growing cultural reach.
The sportswear company recently released a six-minute short film titled “Rip the Script,” featuring a wide range of personalities from football, music, film, and popular culture. The campaign centers on a fictional film production that spirals into chaos as some of the world’s most recognizable athletes and celebrities take over the set.
The film includes appearances from Kim Kardashian, Travis Scott, Blackpink member Lisa, Channing Tatum, and Jason Sudeikis, who reprises his Ted Lasso character. Football stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Ronaldinho, Zlatan Ibrahimović, and Vinícius Júnior also appear throughout the project, along with NBA star LeBron James.
One of the most talked about moments features Tatum portraying a Haaland lookalike complete with the striker’s signature blond hairstyle. Viewers have also noted a brief appearance by Kardashian’s son, Saint West.
Nike released the campaign as preparations continue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The tournament is expected to be the largest edition of the competition to date, with brands increasingly using entertainment and crossover cultural moments to engage audiences ahead of kickoff.
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