As the FIFA World Cup kicks off, the real excitement often lies not just in the matches but in the music as well.
If you ask anyone to name an iconic moment related to the FIFA World Cup, it’s likely that one of the things they’ll immediately think of is Shakira’s song “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).” When the song came out in 2010, it became bigger than the tournament itself, and even now, every new World Cup song is compared to it. The question then becomes: how did “Waka Waka” become one of the greatest World Cup anthems ever?
The hit song, featuring Freshlyground, was released as the official FIFA World Cup anthem in 2010. It sampled “Zangalewa,” a 1986 track by Cameroonian band Golden Sounds. “Waka Waka” fuses Shakira’s pop style with Freshlyground’s South African rhythms, creating a sound that feels distinctly African and Latin while still resonating globally.
It perfectly captured the moment of the first-ever World Cup held in Africa and felt tied to the tournament’s identity rather than becoming a basic sports song. We can’t forget the universally singable chorus: “Tsamina mina, eh eh…” easy for everyone to remember, even though we don’t all share the same language.
2010 was also the perfect time for viral growth. The song spread quickly and remained in circulation for years due to YouTube’s global dominance at the time. Back then, there was a more unified media era, today it would be hard for a World Cup anthem to dominate globally since streaming has changed how quickly we consume music.
The song itself went on to become a massive global hit. Topping charts in over 20 countries and achieving billions of streams. With its massive commercial success, lasting popularity, and cultural impact, no official World Cup anthem has ever surpassed it in impact or legacy. One can consider it the “perfect storm” moment, making it difficult to replicate.
What to expect this year:
FIFA created an official 18-track album with cross-cultural collaborations, some include:
- “Goals” – LISA (from BLACKPINK), Anitta, and Rema
- “Game Time” – Future and Tyla
- “Echo” – Daddy Yankee and Shenseea
- “Lighter” – Jelly Roll and Carín León (representing the host nations – United States, Mexico, and Canada)
- “Three Nations” – 21 Savage, Natanael Cano, and French Montana
“Waka Waka,” is still, by far, the most viewed World Cup song ever. Not only does it still trend every World Cup cycle but it has been a global benchmark for all sports anthems.
