Shakira returns with a World Cup Anthem

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Colombian pop star Shakira is back with an official FIFA World Cup song, and this time she has brought Nigerian singer Burna Boy along for the ride.

The 49-year-old shared a teaser of the track on her Instagram account, with the video filmed at the iconic Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro. The full song is set to be released on 14 May.

This is not Shakira’s first time writing the soundtrack to the world’s biggest football tournament. She performed Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, which became one of the most recognised sports songs ever made.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a massive event, featuring 48 teams from around the world. It runs from 11 June to 19 July. New Zealand is competing in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and Iran, giving Kiwi fans plenty to look forward to.

Burna Boy, who features on the new track, is one of Africa’s biggest music stars and is known for blending Afrobeats, reggae, and R&B. His involvement hints that the song could have a similar global feel to Waka Waka.

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Did You Know?

What famous song did Shakira perform for the 2010 World Cup?
Shakira performed the hit song 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)' for the 2010 World Cup.

Vocabulary

Click on the words in the article. See if you can find them all.
  • anthem A song that represents a group or event. The national anthem is sung at sports games.
  • teaser A short preview or sneak peek of something. The movie trailer was a teaser for the film.
  • competing Trying to win against others in a contest. The teams are competing for the championship title.
  • Thinking Question

    How do you think music can bring people together during big events like the World Cup?

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