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Dai Dai Leads Vote for Best FIFA World Cup Song Ahead of 2026 Kickoff

Shakira and Burna Boy’s 2026 anthem competes with classics like ‘La Copa de la Vida’ and ‘Waka Waka’ in Billboard’s fan poll closing June 10.

By ABU DHABI1 min read

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Dai Dai Leads Vote for Best FIFA World Cup Song Ahead of 2026 Kickoff
Cover photo: billboard.com
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AI summaryauto-generated
  • 1‘Dai Dai’ by Shakira and Burna Boy is the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem.
  • 2Billboard’s fan poll closes June 10, 2026, ahead of the tournament kickoff.
  • 3Ricky Martin’s ‘La Copa de la Vida’ and Shakira’s ‘Waka Waka’ remain top contenders.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just days away, and fans are rallying behind the tournament’s official song: ‘Dai Dai’ by Shakira and Burna Boy.

Billboard’s live poll, open until noon ET on Wednesday, June 10, lets fans choose their favorite World Cup anthem from decades of hits — including Ricky Martin’s ‘La Copa de la Vida’ from 1998 and Shakira’s own ‘Waka Waka’ from 2010.

Why ‘Dai Dai’ Is Resonating

‘Dai Dai’ blends reggaetón and Afrobeat rhythms, mirroring the global energy of the first three-nation World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The track has drawn thousands of votes in just days, with fans praising its upbeat groove and cross-cultural appeal.

Shakira, who previously defined World Cup soundtracks, returns as both performer and co-writer, while Burna Boy adds a distinctly Nigerian pulse to the anthem.

Classic Favorites Still Strong

Despite the new release, older songs remain fan favorites. ‘La Copa de la Vida’ by Ricky Martin continues to dominate comments, with users calling it ‘iconic’ and ‘the moment World Cup music changed forever.’

‘Waka Waka,’ which amassed over 4.5 billion YouTube views, still holds a loyal following, especially among fans of African and Latin music.

Unexpected Contenders Emerge

While not official World Cup songs, tracks like Jungkook’s ‘Dreamers’ and Lisa’s ‘Goals’ have flooded comment sections with passionate fan campaigns — though they’re not eligible for the poll.

One user wrote: ‘Dreamers is the real anthem. But since it’s not on the list, I’m voting for Dai Dai.’

What’s Next

The poll results will be published after votes surpass 1,000. The first match of the 2026 World Cup kicks off on June 11.

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Written by

Alan Conde

Reporting from Abu Dhabi — independent, on the ground, and built on local sources.