Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleShakira performs during the Opening Ceremony before the FIFA World Cup 2026 (Getty)Before “Dai Dai,” Colombian superstar Shakira co-wrote and performed “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” featuring Freshlyground, the official anthem of the 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa.When asked by The Associated Press what goes into making a hit World Cup anthem, she replied, “Fútbol is a thing that unites so many cultures and people of different walks of life. The big responsibility of making a World Cup song is that you’ve got to make a song that represents people’s feelings, emotions, and passion.”“So you've got to write that song, in a way, understanding that it has to be global. It has to encompass so many cultures and represent so many in one tune,” Shakira continued. “That, in a way, has helped me craft those songs in the past.”But beyond those conceptual ideas, Shakira has some specific sonic suggestions as well.“I feel like a good World Cup song needs to definitely have rhythm. It has to be rhythmic. It has to make people want to dance. And it has to be an anthem as well. It has to make people want to sing along in unison, sing out loud at the top of their lungs. It also has that kind of energy,” she says. “That's a must.”In fullThe secrets behind a memorable World Cup anthem, from Shakira and moreThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Shakira reveals secret behind a memorable World Cup anthem
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleShakira performs during the Opening Ceremony before the FIFA World Cup 2026 (Getty)Before “Dai Dai,” Colombian superstar Shakira co-wrote and performed “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” featuring Freshlyground, the official anthem of the 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa.When asked by The Associated Press what goes into making a hit World Cup anthem, she replied, “Fútbol is a thing that unites so many cultures and people of different walks of life. The big responsibility of making a World Cup song is that you’ve got to make a song that represents people’s feelings, emotions, and passion.”“So you've got to write that song, in a way, understanding that it has to be global. It has to encompass so many cultures and represent so many in one tune,” Shakira continued. “That, in a way, has helped me craft those songs in the past.”But beyond those conceptual ideas, Shakira has some specific sonic suggestions as well.“I feel like a good World Cup song needs to definitely have rhythm. It has to be rhythmic. It has to make people want to dance. And it has to be an anthem as well. It has to make people want to sing along in unison, sing out loud at the top of their lungs. It also has that kind of energy,” she says. “That's a must.”In fullThe secrets behind a memorable World Cup anthem, from Shakira and moreThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
