Shakira and Burna Boy are set to perform the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 song, ‘Dai Dai,’ live for the first time tonight (June 11) at the World Cup Opening Ceremony in Mexico City.
The pair will headline the event just before the tournament’s opening match between Mexico and South Africa, bringing the competition’s official anthem to a global audience.
‘Dai Dai’ was created to celebrate resilience, hard work and global unity, blending different cultures through an upbeat sound and distinctive lyrics.
But ahead of the performance, many fans have been making the same comparison online, with several arguing that Shakira’s 2010 World Cup anthem ‘Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)’ remains the benchmark for football songs and is far superior to her latest release.
Fans compare ‘Dai Dai’ to ‘Waka Waka’
Reaction on social media has been mixed, with some listeners praising the new track while others complained that it cannot compete with the legacy of ‘Waka Waka.’
One person took to X and wrote: “Shakira and Burna Boy’s ‘Dai Dai’ proves that modern World Cup anthems are overproduced, soulless cash grabs not cultural moments. ‘Waka Waka’ worked because it felt organic. ‘Dai Dai’ feels like an algorithm made it. We need to stop pretending bigger names = better songs.”
Another person wrote: “Shakira done it again after Waka Waka!! But… nothing can beat Shakira’s Waka Wala – All time favrt!”
A third person penned: “The newest Shakira song for the World Cup is just about ok. It is no Waka Waka for sure.”
A fourth said: “From 2010 to 2026, we’ve had some incredible World Cup anthems… but let’s be honest: Waka Waka remains untouchable.”
Why ‘Waka Waka’ still resonates with fans
“Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” was the official anthem of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was performed by Shakira alongside South African band Freshlyground.
The song became one of the most successful World Cup tracks ever released after bringing African musical culture to a worldwide audience through its adaptation of the traditional 1986 Cameroonian soldier chant “Zangaléwa.”
Its mix of Afro-Colombian rhythms, themes of resilience and an instantly recognizable chorus helped it connect with people across different countries and languages. The song sold more than 15 million copies, attracted billions of views on YouTube and is still widely regarded as one of the defining sports anthems of the modern era.
Tournament faces criticism before kick-off
The build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has also been overshadowed by criticism surrounding the tournament.
Critics have accused the competition of being a target for “sportswashing,” while concerns have been raised about immigration restrictions and travel bans in the United States.
Several international team personnel and match officials, including Somali referee Omar Artan, have reportedly been prevented from entering the country.
Civil rights group Amnesty International has also warned of a “human rights emergency” linked to border enforcement policies. Fans have additionally voiced frustration over rising travel expenses and FIFA’s use of dynamic pricing, which has pushed ticket costs significantly higher.
There have also been safety concerns connected to cartel violence in co-host nation Mexico, along with fears about extreme summer heat conditions during the tournament.
For now, though, attention will be on Shakira and Burna Boy as they take to the stage in Mexico City, where fans will finally get to hear ‘Dai Dai’ performed live for the first time.
Featured image credit: Patricia J. Garcinuno / Getty
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Published 13:08 13 Sep 2023 GMT
People are accusing Shakira of lip syncing during VMAs performance
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James Kay
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People are accusing Shakira of lip-syncing following her performance at the VMAs last night after she graced fans with a medley of her greatest hits.
Kicking off her nearly 10-minute celebratory performance, the 46-year-old superstar opened with ‘She Wolf’. As the crowd roared in appreciation, she transitioned into ‘Objection (Tango)’.
Shakira was keen to show off her musical talents as she picked up a guitar, and even more surprising, she danced with knives in each hand during ‘Whenever, Wherever’.
The New Jersey crowd couldn’t contain their excitement when she launched into ‘Hips Don’t Lie.’ Shakira’s iconic tongue wag, which went viral during her 2020 Super Bowl halftime show, made a triumphant return, with the audience singing along in unison.
Shakira allegedly lip-syncing during her performance at the VMAs:
To close her set, Shakira surprised everyone by crowd surfing during ‘Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53’.
Despite her incredible performance, some fans on X (formerly known as Twitter) couldn’t help but question if she was lip-syncing.
“Shakira if you’re gonna win the vanguard award you should at least, at the VERY least, not lipsync your performance,” one person tweeted.
A second said: “I love Shakira, but the lip sync is a little obvious in this one,” while a third added: “Shakira it’s giving lip sync. It’s like she’s off with the music and got the mic mad close to her lips.”
Shakira has been accused of lip syncing her set at the VMAs. Credit: Gilbert Flores/GettyEarlier in the evening, Shakira’s two sons, Milan and Sasha, aged 10 and eight, respectively, whom she shares with ex Gerard Piqué, made a heartwarming appearance on the pink carpet, per the New York Post.
During her acceptance speech for the MTV Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, the ‘Waka Waka’ singer expressed her gratitude. She thanked her parents and her sons for their unwavering support, saying they made her feel that “Mama can do it all.”
But Shakira’s most heartfelt words were reserved for her devoted fans. “I especially want to share this award with my fans,” she added emotionally. “Through thick and thin – thank you so much for being my army, and helping me fight all my battles.”
According to a 2021 Rolling Stone report, she holds the title of the “best-selling female Latin artist ever.” Her remarkable career has earned her three Grammy Awards, including one in 2018 for her album, “El Dorado,” which secured the “Best Latin Pop Album” accolade.
Shakira treated fans to a 10-minute set. Credit: Gilbert Flores/GettyNotably, her groundbreaking bilingual album, Laundry Service, made its debut in 2001, skyrocketing to No. 3 on the Billboard 200. The album also achieved the accolade of being certified triple platinum.
Whether she was lip-syncing or not, Shakira’s performance was incredible!
