Shakira released the official music video for «Dai Dai», the official song of the FIFA World Cup 2026, in collaboration with Nigerian artist Burna Boy, last Saturday, and the result was immediate: over 14 million views and nearly a million "likes" in just two days.
One of the most talked-about moments in the clip occurs at 0:08, when Lionel Messi appears on screen and says in English, "We are ready," something that fans described as a historic event since the Argentine star rarely speaks that language in public.
"There is only one human being on earth who has made the legend Messi speak in English... that was Shakira," wrote a user on YouTube, in a comment that garnered more than 1,600 reactions.
Another fan summarized the general sentiment: "Only Shakira could make Messi speak English... you are the best, a goddess."
Alongside Messi, the video also features appearances from Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Luis Díaz, Vinícius Júnior, Alphonso Davies, Christian Pulisic, Jamal Musiala, Santiago Giménez, Rodri, and Erling Haaland.
The music video was filmed at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro and in Mexico City, where Shakira appears atop the Angel of Independence.
The lyrics of "Dai Dai" mix English, Spanish, and French with the chorus "Dale, allez, let's go," and mention football legends such as Pelé, Maradona, Maldini, Cristiano Ronaldo, Iniesta, Beckham, Kaká, Messi, Mbappé, and Salah, as well as national teams from around the world.
The song was released on digital platforms on May 14 through Sony Music Latin, and the fusion of Latin pop and afrobeats that Burna Boy brings has been described by fans as "unmatched afro-fusion."
The release also has a charitable dimension: 100% of the royalties that Shakira receives from "Dai Dai" will be donated to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a fund aimed at raising 100 million dollars to support education and sports in underserved communities.
Sony Music will match the first $250,000 raised, and Shakira will additionally donate one dollar for every ticket sold for her tour "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran" to the same fund.
The comments on YouTube reflect the global enthusiasm, with thousands of users hailing her as the undisputed queen of the World Cup: "The moment Shakira starts singing, you feel that the World Cup has officially begun," wrote another fan in a comment with 29,000 reactions.
The Colombian's history in World Cup tournaments includes "Hips Don't Lie – Bamboo" (2006), "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" (2010), and "La La La (Brazil 2014)," which led thousands of fans to request FIFA to sign a lifetime contract with Shakira.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to begin on June 11 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with Shakira already established as the voice that will once again set the tone for the tournament.
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