For years, Shakira has been known as the “Queen of the World Cup,” with her songs becoming synonymous with football’s biggest tournament. In 2026, the Colombian superstar made a triumphant return with Dai Dai, a World Cup anthem that has taken the globe by storm.

Now, as the tournament reaches the semifinals, fans have noticed an eye-catching coincidence that has sparked plenty of discussion online.

The four footballers featured prominently in the Dai Dai music video—Lionel Messi (Argentina), Kylian Mbappé (France), Harry Kane (England), and Rodri (Spain)—have all led their respective national teams into the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinals. Each player has been instrumental in their country's success, serving as a key figure throughout the tournament.

The coincidence doesn’t stop there. Of the 12 footballers who appeared in the Dai Dai music video, 10 advanced to the Round of 16, leading fans to jokingly wonder whether Shakira’s “good luck” has somehow influenced this year’s World Cup.

While many acknowledge that Shakira simply invited some of football’s biggest stars to appear in the video, social media has been flooded with humorous comments claiming the singer is secretly “controlling” the tournament.

Whether or not she has any "magic," Shakira has unquestionably dominated the World Cup musically. Many fans have praised Dai Dai for perfectly capturing the excitement and energy of football, with some calling it a stronger World Cup anthem than Jelly Roll's Lighter and Lisa's Goals.

The song has also achieved remarkable commercial success. Dai Dai officially became the most-viewed music video released in 2026 on YouTube, surpassing the previous record held by the Indian hit Pavazha Malli. During the World Cup, Shakira simultaneously occupied the top two spots on YouTube’s Global Music Videos chart, with:

  • No. 1: Dai Dai
  • No. 2: Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)

The song has also made history on Spotify, spending seven consecutive days in the Global Top 10 and peaking at No. 5. It is the first World Cup song ever to remain in Spotify’s Global Top 10 for an entire week.

Born in Colombia in 1977, Shakira has built one of the most successful careers in Latin music history, selling more than 80 million records worldwide while winning three Grammy Awards and 14 Latin Grammy Awards.

However, one of her greatest legacies is her connection to football. She first became closely associated with the World Cup in 2006, when Hips Don’t Lie became one of the tournament’s defining songs. In 2010, she released Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), widely regarded as one of the greatest football anthems ever made. The song transcended sport to become a global symbol of unity and celebration. She followed that success with La La La for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, further cementing her status as the face of World Cup music.

Many fans felt that the tournaments in 2018 and 2022 lacked the same musical excitement without a new Shakira anthem. Her return with Dai Dai in 2026 has been widely celebrated as bringing that signature World Cup energy back.

Shakira’s relationship with football extends beyond music. She began dating former Spain and Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué after meeting him during the filming of the Waka Waka music video in 2010. Together, they became one of the world’s most famous celebrity couples and welcomed two sons during their 11-year relationship. Their split in 2022, following Piqué’s highly publicized infidelity, dominated headlines worldwide. According to widely reported accounts, Shakira first became suspicious after discovering a jar of strawberry jam in her refrigerator—a food she reportedly enjoyed but that neither Piqué nor their children liked.

Instead of allowing the breakup to define her, Shakira responded through music. Her explosive diss track BZRP Music Sessions #53 became a global phenomenon, featuring unforgettable lyrics comparing a Ferrari to a Twingo and a Rolex to a Casio. The song shattered 14 Guinness World Records and became one of the most-streamed Latin songs in Spotify history, transforming personal heartbreak into one of the biggest musical comebacks of her career.

Whether it’s pure coincidence or simply the result of featuring football’s biggest stars, the semifinal success of the players appearing in Dai Dai has become one of the most entertaining storylines of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Coupled with the song’s record-breaking success on YouTube and Spotify, Shakira has once again proven why she remains the undisputed “Queen of the World Cup.”

Sources: K14