FIFA 2026 Anthem Dai Dai Sparks African Backlash Debate

The emergence of Dai Dai as the new anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring Shakira and Burna Boy, has ignited intense controversy in the world of African social media.

FIFA 2026 anthem Dai Dai, Although the track received positive remarks from fans for its international appeal and promotion of Afrobeats, there are still those who see the lack of emphasis on African artists despite their prominence in this competition.

This criticism is not necessarily aimed at Burna Boy but rather at whose face dominates the anthem.

“Waka Waka” Row Returns as New FIFA Anthem Is Released

A large portion of this row dates back to the anthem of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, namely, “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).”

This anthem was again sung by Shakira, but as with “Waka Waka,” the problem of cultural appropriation emerged. Africans believed that the song borrowed heavily from Zaminamina, an African military band song, without initially giving due credit.

Although the matter was sorted out in later times, the issue never ceased to bother Africans, and the release of the new FIFA anthem has reignited their anger against the cultural exploitation.

Why Did Africans Think Burna Boy was Reduced to Being Only a “Feature Artist”?

Burna Boy may be the most globally famous African artist; however, according to his critics, he was used by FIFA as a feature artist rather than the headline performer.

Common Claims by Social Media Users

An African artist could have led the whole anthem independently.
Afrobeats culture has grown to a point where it can now thrive on its own.
African artists are often featured symbolically.
FIFA continues to depend on Western artists for global popularity.

Others Believe That the Criticism Was Not Well-Deserved

Those in support of Burna Boy claim that:

It gave massive worldwide exposure to Burna Boy from the collaboration
An anthem with African beats was showcased to billions of people
Collaborations between diverse artists are common in international music
Shakira has shown interest in African music and dance in the past

Another reason cited by fans is the presence of Afrobeats production and the influence of African dancing in the song’s visual aspects.

Inclusion of Ghetto Kids Led to Greater Awareness of Issues

The inclusion of the Ugandan Ghetto Kids during various FIFA events gained further attention about Africans taking part in such events.

Most viewers appreciated the move by FIFA to include African dancers, singers, and artists in their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaigns.

Nonetheless, criticism continues to persist since visibility cannot be equated with leadership or ownership.

Why Representation Matters at a Global Level

Dai Dai’s story is part of a much wider discussion about:

Whose culture controls the international conversation?
Who gets all the recognition?
Who gets to benefit from African creative talent?

With Afrobeats dominating international hit parades and African creators becoming major influencers in global pop culture, many people in Africa don’t think the continent needs any validation anymore via the Western seal of approval.

Conclusion

Dai Dai’s success and the reactions to it illustrate how discussions on representation, culture, and global visibility are continuously changing.

While some fans perceive the song as a great international collaboration, others consider it just another case when African culture is presented by artists without full control from Africa’s side.

Whether this song causes controversy or not, it is clear that Dai Dai has already become one of the most controversial musical releases related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.