On May 14, 2026, Shakira and Burna Boy released “Dai Dai” as the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The track aims to be a unifying anthem as the world’s attention focuses on the soccer (or football) pitch.
But “Dai Dai” is about more than sports; it’s about everyday perseverance.
To Get Through This Thing Called Life…
Like the Olympic Games, many see the World Cup as a way to welcome people across borders. Bringing fans together as they root for domestic teams in a healthier kind of patriotism.
“Dai Dai” opens with a verse about belonging, which remains an ideal the world often fails to achieve, as Shakira’s line about being broken suggests. Sports can be a microcosm of struggle, perseverance, and the underdog spirit. But it’s hard to ignore the politics surrounding the World Cup, and especially so, the anti-immigrant sentiments in the West.
You knew from the day you were born,
That here, in this place, you belong.
You’ve been this brave all along,
What broke you once made you strong.
Sung in Italian, Japanese, Spanish, French, and English, the refrain is a multilingual hook for “Let’s go.” A perfect rallying cry for the World Cup. And a reminder of how connected people are, regardless of language, culture, or where they happened to have been born.
Dai, dai, ikou, dale, allez, let’s go,
Dai, dai, ikou, dale, allez, let’s go.
It’s Hard To Win
“Dai Dai” speaks to the idea of dreams, hope, and achievement. It’s a song about destination. It’s overcoming the obstacles in front of you, and with enough hard work and stubborn optimism, you might someday be “at the top of your game.”
People are drawn to stories of struggle because it’s something most of us recognize. And the games offer the audience a vivid portrayal of triumph.
Also, goals are not easy to come by in the World Cup. Perhaps it’s why some find it hard to appreciate the sport over, say, American football. But the NFL gives a team seven points per touchdown, so if you win the game 21–14, that’s really just a final soccer score of 3–2. Either way, it’s incredibly difficult to score enough points to win the game. The same can be said for the fans watching at home. Anthem internacional.
Sweat and blood to write your story,
That is how you paved the way.
You’re about to reach the glory,
Only one step away.
Photo by Ryan Pierse – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images