What makes a winning World Cup anthem? Shakira, Wyclef Jean and others explain

By — Maria Sherman, Associated Press Maria Sherman, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/what-makes-a-winning-world-cup-anthem-shakira-wyclef-jean-and-others-explain Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter What makes a winning World Cup anthem? Shakira, Wyclef Jean and others explain Arts Jun 11, 2026 12:24 PM EDT NEW YORK (AP) — What makes a memorable World Cup anthem? Is it a song that best reflects the host countries? Is it a global banger, incorporating multiple languages and genres? Or should it simply value a chant-along chorus above all? READ MORE: Mexico City installed a chandelier in its metro for the World Cup. Cue the mocking memes There's an argument to make for each — or perhaps all. To get to the bottom of it ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, The Associated Press asked a few of the performers behind World Cup songs past and present. It's a list that includes Shakira — who, alongside Afrobeats star Burna Boy, is responsible for the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, "Dai Dai" — as well as Colombian singer J Balvin, Wyclef Jean and newcomer Nora Fatehi. Shakira unites cultures Before "Dai Dai," the Colombian superstar 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. "Fútbol is a thing that unites so many cultures and people of different walks of life," she told the AP. "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." READ MORE: World Cup celebrations clash with social tensions in Mexico "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." J Balvin makes the case for a hook Colombian singer J Balvin is one-fourth of Coca-Cola's official song for the FIFA World Cup 2026, a reimagination of Van Halen's "Jump" that also features drummer Travis Barker, pop/R&B singer Amber Mark and guitarist Steve Vai. He says any song — not just a World Cup anthem — must engage listeners right off the bat. WATCH: Roger Bennett on what to expect at the World Cup "Nowadays, with the music and every type of music — it doesn't matter if it's the World Cup, if it is a reggaeton or hip-hop (song) — you know, people's attention (span) is only like five seconds. And that's the reality. I'm not