A Global Lineup of Football Icons
The video for “Dai Dai” continues the tradition of Shakira’s major tournament contributions by integrating elite international football talent. The production features a roll call of current stars, including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Luis Díaz, Harry Kane, Vinícius Junior, Rodri, Erling Haaland, Takefusa Kubo, Santiago Giménez, Alphonso Davies, Jamal Musiala, and Christian Pulisic.
According to La Jornada, the video opens with individual shots of these players delivering a unified message to the audience. The scale of the cameos serves to emphasize the tournament’s reach, spanning multiple continents and cultures. Beyond the modern stars, the video incorporates archival footage to pay tribute to historical legends of the sport. As reported by UnoTV, the production includes nods to figures such as Pelé, Diego Armando Maradona, Carlos Valderrama, Kaká, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“¡Estamos listos! ¡Ya está aquí el video oficial de Dai Dai, la canción oficial de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026! Muchas gracias a Leo Messi, Mbappé, Luis Díaz, Vinícius Jr, Rodri, Takefusa Kubo, Santiago Giménez, Alphonso Davies, Jamal Musiala, Christian Pulisic, Harry Kane y Erling Haaland”Shakira, Singer and Songwriter, via La Jornada
Cultural Fusion and Mexico’s Triple Hosting
Musically, “Dai Dai” marks a return to the multicultural soundscapes that defined Shakira’s previous World Cup hits. The track blends afrobeats, dance pop, and reggaeton, aiming to capture the diverse energy of a tournament that will be shared among three North American nations. Infobae notes that the visual aesthetic leans heavily into this theme, with Shakira appearing in various iconic settings, including a sequence atop the Ángel de la Independencia in Mexico City.
This specific location choice highlights Mexico’s historic role as the first nation to host three separate World Cups, having previously held the tournament in 1970 and 1986. The video also features symbolic landscapes, including representations of African baobab trees and South American urban landscapes, reinforcing the global nature of the event. The lyrics further lean into this international scope, as Shakira and Burna Boy explicitly list several competing nations in their verses.
“Brasil, Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia,” vitorea Shakira. “México, Japón, Corea, Países Bajos”.Shakira and Burna Boy, via El Universal
Philanthropy and the Ghetto Kids Collaboration
A central element of the “Dai Dai” project is its focus on youth and education. The video prominently features the Triplets Ghetto Kids, a viral dance group from Kampala, Uganda. Their inclusion follows an organic interaction on social media; after the group posted a dance cover of the song, Shakira invited them to participate in the official video.
According to SinEmbargo, this partnership will extend to the tournament’s live events, as the Ghetto Kids are confirmed to join the performance for the World Cup final. The release also carries a significant philanthropic weight. The song is tied to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million to improve access to education and football development for children in vulnerable conditions. This initiative, as detailed by El Universal, is part of a broader plan for the tournament’s closing ceremony on July 19 at MetLife Stadium.
A Legacy of World Cup Anthems
With the release of “Dai Dai,” Shakira cements her status as a primary fixture of FIFA World Cup entertainment. Her history with the tournament dates back nearly two decades, beginning with her performance of “Hips Don’t Lie” at the 2006 final in Germany. She later achieved global success with “Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)” for the 2010 tournament in South Africa and “La La La” for the 2014 edition in Brazil.
As the 2026 tournament approaches its June 11 start date, the song serves as a bridge between the sport’s history and its future. By incorporating multilingual lyrics and collaborative verses with Burna Boy, the track reflects the evolving sound of global pop. For fans, the arrival of the video provides the final piece of promotional momentum before the first match kicks off in less than three weeks.
