When FIFA confirmed that Shakira would return with Burna Boy for the 2026 World Cup anthem “Dai Dai,” it struck a chord with football and music fans globally.
As of May 30, 2026, the 2026 World Cup anthem has garnered over 46 million views on YouTube. It features performances and appearances from Shakira and Nigerian Grammy winner Burna Boy alongside football stars including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham.
The teaser for “Dai Dai” blends Latin pop, Afrobeats and stadium energy, with Burna Boy joining the few African artists to headline a FIFA World Cup anthem, following recent soundtracks featuring Davido, Jung Kook, Rema and Shenseea.
Sixteen years after the “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” soundtrack became a global anthem at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Shakira’s return has revived the debate around the greatest FIFA World Cup songs ever made.
But while every World Cup delivers new songs, only a handful last. These six arguably stand apart – ranked by cultural impact, longevity, fan nostalgia and how completely they captured their tournaments.
“Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” — Shakira featuring Freshlyground (2010)
Arguably, no World Cup song has matched this one yet. Released for the first FIFA World Cup hosted on African soil, it became much bigger than football. Combining African rhythms, pop melodies and an infectious chorus, “Waka Waka” captured the optimism, celebration and continental pride surrounding South Africa 2010. Featuring South African Afro-fusion group Freshlyground, the song accumulated billions of YouTube views and remains a fixture at sporting events worldwide. South Africa 2010 remains one of football’s most memorable tournaments, headlined by the sound of “Waka Waka.”
“Wavin’ Flag” — K’naan (2010)
Technically, “Wavin’ Flag” was not FIFA’s official anthem. The Somali-Canadian artist K’naan delivered a song that captured hope, resilience and solidarity during South Africa 2010. Originally a Coca-Cola campaign song, it evolved into one of the defining sounds of the tournament, carried by its uplifting chorus and the weight of its storytelling. The anthem hit hardest across Africa for its themes of struggle, survival and unity. Sixteen years later, it still summons vuvuzelas, packed fan parks and the electric atmosphere of 2010.
“La Copa de la Vida (The Cup of Life)” — Ricky Martin (1998)
Ricky Martin’s “La Copa de la Vida” travelled the world before social media existed. The official song for France 1998 changed World Cup music forever, blending Latin pop, explosive percussion and stadium chants into one of football’s most energetic anthems. The “Go, go, go! Ale, ale, ale!” chorus echoed across stadiums throughout the tournament and pushed Martin into international superstardom during the late-1990s Latin pop wave.
“We Are One (Ole Ola)” — Pitbull featuring Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte (2014)
Brazil’s 2014 World Cup needed a song that sounded colourful, chaotic and celebratory — and “We Are One” did exactly that. The anthem fused samba rhythms, dance-pop and Latin influences into a stadium-ready track led by Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez and Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte. It divided critics, but its chorus and carnival atmosphere made it one of FIFA’s most recognisable modern anthems.
“Live It Up” — Nicky Jam featuring Will Smith and Era Istrefi (2018)
Russia 2018 produced one of football’s most surprising tournaments, and “Live It Up” became its soundtrack. The anthem combined reggaeton, pop and dance production into a high-energy track featuring Nicky Jam, Will Smith and Kosovo-Albanian singer Era Istrefi. It was not the deepest song on this list, but it worked as a celebration anthem built for fan festivals, opening ceremonies and global broadcasts. Its defining moment came during the closing ceremony in Moscow, where the performance turned it into one of the tournament’s most memorable spectacles.
“The Time of Our Lives” — Il Divo & Toni Braxton (2006)
Performed by classical crossover group Il Divo alongside Toni Braxton, “The Time of Our Lives” instantly recalls the golden generation of football icons that defined Germany 2006, from Ronaldinho and Zidane to Cannavaro, Beckham and a young Cristiano Ronaldo. The soundtrack remains evergreen, transporting listeners back to one of football’s most memorable tournaments.
“Dai Dai” Steps in
The best World Cup songs do more than promote tournaments; they connect different generations. That is why “Dai Dai” stands out with the others. Shakira’s return connects two World Cup generations, while Burna Boy’s inclusion showcases Africa’s growing influence on global music and football culture. Whether the song earns its place alongside these six will be decided by the tournament itself – and the aftermath.
