Shakira Captivates Fans with Spanish Rendition of "Dai Dai": A Tribute to Spain and Argentina?

In a surprising move ahead of the 2026 World Cup final, Shakira unveiled a snippet of a fully Spanish version of "Dai Dai," the official anthem for the tournament, performed alongside Nigerian artist Burna Boy. This release is seen by many as a nod to the two Spanish-speaking teams, Spain and Argentina, battling for the title in New York City today.

The teaser, shared on the Colombian singer's social media platforms, features empowering lines like, "in the 11 against 11, everyone plays their part, here no one is judged when they give their all," and "look, better enjoy life, we're on the rise," reflecting the original song's spirit of perseverance.

Symbolic Gesture for a Historic Match

This afternoon at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Spain and Argentina face off in the first World Cup final between two Spanish-speaking teams. Shakira's gesture is a particularly symbolic one for millions of fans.

However, those hoping to hear this adaptation during the halftime show will have to settle for the original version, as reported by AS newspaper. The live performance was planned with the song as it was initially released in English, with Burna Boy joining the Colombian star on stage.

A Familiar Tune with Renewed Interest

The Spanish version of "Dai Dai" isn't entirely new; it first debuted on June 23, 2026, before the Colombia vs. DR Congo match, as a nod to the Latin American audience. Nonetheless, the snippet shared just days before the final reignited widespread interest in the adaptation.

"Dai Dai" has become one of the major musical phenomena of the summer, amassing nearly 200 million streams on Spotify and over 440 million views on YouTube. It reached the number one spot on Spotify's Global Songs chart on June 30, during its sixth week on the charts. In a Billboard poll, it was voted the best official World Cup song since 1990, surpassing even "Waka Waka."

A Star-Studded Halftime Show

This final marks the first time in World Cup history that the halftime show will follow a format similar to the Super Bowl, a milestone for global soccer. Alongside Shakira and Burna Boy, the lineup features Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Coldplay, Laura Pausini, Robbie Williams, and conductor Gustavo Dudamel, as well as the Ghetto Kids, a children's dance group from Kampala, Uganda, who previously performed with Shakira at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

This event is Shakira's fourth official appearance at a World Cup, following her performances in Germany 2006, South Africa 2010 with "Waka Waka," and Brazil 2014 with "La La La," making her the artist with the most official ties in the tournament's history.

All royalties from "Dai Dai" are donated to the FIFA-Global Citizen Education Fund, with a goal of raising $100 million, adding a charitable dimension to the musical phenomenon that has defined this World Cup.