Some World Cup memories come from goals, some from trophies, and some from songs that get stuck in your brain for the next 16 years.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has its official song: “Dai Dai,” a collaboration between Shakira and Burna Boy. FIFA announced the song on May 14, 2026, describing it as a celebration of football, culture, and unity. The song also supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million by the end of the tournament for children’s education and football opportunities.

That gives us today’s brain play: why do World Cup songs become such big global memory machines?

What Is “Dai Dai”?

“Dai Dai” brings together two major global artists. Shakira is one of the most recognizable names in World Cup music, while Burna Boy is one of Afrobeats’ biggest international stars.

According to NPR, the song blends Afrobeats with Latin pop, is sung mostly in English with some Spanish, and includes references to famous football figures and countries playing in the tournament.

The title comes from an Italian expression that means something like “come on, come on.” NPR also notes that the lyrics include similar rallying phrases in English, Japanese, French, and Spanish.

In other words, this is not just a song for one country. It is built to move around the world.

Shakira Knows This Assignment

Shakira is not new to World Cup music. Her biggest World Cup moment came in 2010 with “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” the official song of the South Africa tournament. “Waka Waka” earned a Guinness World Record as the most-streamed FIFA World Cup song on Spotify, with more than one billion streams at that point.

She also performed a special version of “Hips Don’t Lie” at the 2006 World Cup closing ceremony, and “La La La (Brazil 2014)” was featured on FIFA’s official album for the 2014 tournament.

So “Dai Dai” is not just another pop single. It is Shakira returning to one of the biggest musical stages in sports.

World Cup Songs Have Their Own History

The World Cup has been pairing soccer and music for decades. The list of official FIFA World Cup songs includes Ricky Martin’s “La Copa de la Vida” for 1998, Shakira and Freshlyground’s “Waka Waka” for 2010, Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez, and Claudia Leitte’s “We Are One (Ole Ola)” for 2014, and Nicky Jam, Will Smith, and Era Istrefi’s “Live It Up” for 2018.

For 2026, FIFA is also rolling out a larger official album. The listed tracks include “Lighter,” “Por Ella,” “Echo,” and “Illuminate.”

That matters because the World Cup does not really have one soundtrack anymore. It has an ecosystem of songs, promos, fan chants, team anthems, and viral moments competing to become the sound people remember.

Play the Quiz

Can you name the artists of some previous World Cup songs in this Sporcle quiz?

Why Do World Cup Songs Stick?

A good World Cup song has to do a lot of work quickly.

It needs a hook big enough for a stadium. It needs a beat that works on TV, in a bar, at a fan festival, and in highlight clips. It needs to feel specific, but not so specific that only one audience can claim it. It needs energy, repetition, and a little bit of shared language, even if that language is just everyone shouting the same phrase at the same time.

That is why World Cup songs can last longer than people expect. They attach themselves to moments. A chorus becomes a goal. A beat becomes a celebration. A lyric becomes a summer.

Fans Still Get the Final Word

Here is the fun twist: the official song does not always become the song of the tournament.

NPR points to Argentina’s “Muchachos” as an example. It was not the official 2022 World Cup song, but Argentine fans turned it into a defining anthem as their team went on to win the tournament.

That is part of what makes World Cup music interesting. FIFA can release the official song, but fans decide what they sing in the streets, in the stands, and after the final whistle.

“Dai Dai” has star power, a global sound, and Shakira’s World Cup history behind it. Now the tournament gets to decide whether it becomes the memory.

Five-Question Quiz on the Matter

The Thing To Remember

A World Cup song is never just background music. At its best, it becomes a shortcut to the whole tournament, carrying the goals, the flags, the crowds, and the feeling of a month when the world is playing along.

That is your Daily Brain for today.

Ready for more? Play more World Cup quizzes on Sporcle.

Mark Adams is the Senior Vice President of Brand at Sporcle, where he shapes the company’s identity, voice, and vision across all platforms. A lifelong trivia enthusiast, Mark helped launch Sporcle Live in 2013 after co-founding Motor City Trivia, growing it from a local side project into a national phenomenon. Today, he leads brand development, creative strategy, and major initiatives like SporcleCon. Outside of work, he’s a dedicated youth baseball coach, passionate storyteller, and relentless advocate for turning everyday moments into unforgettable experiences.