What Makes a Winning World Cup Anthem? Artists Share Their Perspectives
Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, artists including Shakira, J Balvin, Wyclef Jean, and Nora Fatehi shared their views on what makes a great World Cup anthem. The conversation spans decades of official FIFA songs, from Los Ramblers' 1962 rockabilly track to Shakira and Burna Boy's new 2026 anthem 'Dai Dai.' The discussion highlights how World Cup music has evolved into a global cultural phenomenon that rivals the tournament itself in reach and impact.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup underway, artists who have created official tournament anthems are reflecting on the formula for a successful World Cup song. Shakira, who co-wrote 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)' for 2010 and now returns with 'Dai Dai' featuring Burna Boy for 2026, emphasizes rhythm, danceability, and the ability to unite diverse cultures in a single tune. Wyclef Jean, who co-wrote the 2014 anthem 'Dar um Jeito (We Will Find a Way)' with Santana, Avicii, and Alexandre Pires, argues that energy and a message of hope matter more than having multiple nationalities represented. Colombian star J Balvin, featured on a Coca-Cola reimagining of Van Halen's 'Jump' for 2026, stresses the importance of an immediate hook given today's short attention spans. Newcomer Nora Fatehi, featured on the 2026 album track 'Siir, Siir,' says the key emotion is making listeners feel like winners. Historically, the tradition traces back to Los Ramblers' unofficial 1962 Chilean rockabilly track, while Ricky Martin's 1998 'The Cup of Life' became the first FIFA-sponsored anthem to achieve global mega-hit status, reaching number one in 30 countries and helping ignite the late-1990s Latin pop explosion.
What's missing
Neither source addresses the commercial and licensing arrangements between FIFA, Coca-Cola, and the artists, nor the streaming or chart performance data for the new 2026 anthem 'Dai Dai' since the tournament has just begun.
How coverage differed
PBS NewsHour (via AP) focuses on artist interviews and forward-looking commentary about the 2026 World Cup, while Rolling Stone takes a retrospective listicle approach ranking past anthems with historical context. Rolling Stone's framing is more evaluative and pop-culture oriented, while PBS presents the artists' own voices more directly.
What different sources said
- Rolling StoneLeft
The Best World Cup Songs — And the Ones You May Have Forgotten
- PBS NewsHourLeft
What makes a winning World Cup anthem? Shakira, Wyclef Jean and others explain
Related
David Hockney, Celebrated British Artist, Dies at 88
British artist David Hockney has died at the age of 88, prompting reflection on his prolific career and his final creative years spent in Normandy, France. Known for his iconic California swimming pool paintings, Hockney spent the Covid-19 lockdowns in rural France, producing 220 iPad drawings that were exhibited as a 91-metre-long frieze at the Musée de L'Orangerie in Paris. His death marks the loss of one of the most influential and technically adventurous artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.
America at 250: Conservative Voices Debate the State of Higher Education and Shared Culture
Two opinion pieces published ahead of America's 250th anniversary argue that foundational American ideals are under threat — one focusing on the ideological drift of universities away from merit and civic education, the other on the erosion of a common national culture that once bridged class divides. Both pieces are written from a conservative perspective and appear in right-leaning outlets. The arguments reflect a broader debate about what American institutions should preserve or restore as the nation marks a major milestone.
North Melbourne Holds On for One-Point Win Over West Coast as Waterman Hits the Post in Final Seconds
North Melbourne defeated West Coast Eagles 10.14 (74) to 10.13 (73) at Optus Stadium on Saturday, with Eagles forward Jake Waterman hitting the post from a set shot with 42 seconds remaining. The Kangaroos led by 20 points early in the final quarter before West Coast kicked the last three goals in a dramatic fightback driven by Jobe Shanahan. The result leaves West Coast at 4-10 heading into the bye, while North Melbourne improves to 6-7 and remains in the wildcard race.