Del Mundo Jamz: A Latine soundtrack to the men’s FIFA World Cup

“Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” by Shakira feat. Freshlyground

Three men’s World Cups have come and gone since Spain took the glory in 2010, but in my opinion, there has yet to be a World Cup song that tops this one by the Colombian singer and South African band. My mom told me that when I was five years old, I would spend hours singing and trying to copy Shakira’s iconic dances in the accompanying music video. Little Izzy had impeccable taste. The title and chorus draw from the Fang language of Cameroon, where “Waka Waka” means “do it” or “you can do it.” The song is a motivational shout fit for the pressure that comes with representing your country in the games.

“The Cup of Life” by Ricky Martin

There’s a reason this song won a Grammy in 1999 for Best Latin Pop Performance. Martin released “The Cup of Life” for the 1998 World Cup in France, but I think it had a significant impact well beyond the country's borders. It broke Latine pop into mainstream music all over the world. It’s nearly impossible to sit still while listening to this samba-infused masterpiece. It’s perfect for an event that garners so much excitement and energy.

“El Rock del Mundial” by Los Ramblers

I have to pull this one out of the archives. As the official anthem of the 1962 tournament in Chile, this catchy, upbeat number paved the way for the relationship between soccer and music. It was the first song ever adopted by a FIFA tournament and set the precedent for competitions to come. One of the verses says, “Nos invade la alegría y de todo corazón, agradecemos a quienes nos brindaron la ocasión,” which translates to “Joy fills us and with all of our hearts, we thank those who brought us this occasion.” Of all these picks, I think Los Ramblers did the best job of showing off the enthusiasm and pride that comes with being a host country.

“We Are One” by Pitbull feat. Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte

The 2014 World Cup was absolutely stacked with bangers. To me, nothing captures passion and emotion quite like the World Cup. Whether it’s in the stands, on the field or around televisions around the globe, there are people living for each kick of the ball, including myself. The tournament unites people of all nationalities and might have you rooting for a team you have no affiliation with. Am I Argentinian? No. Was I rooting for Messi and his team in that epic battle of a final in 2022? Definitely. This song exemplifies this phenomenon perfectly.

“Dai Dai” by Shakira and Burna Boy

Of course, I had to include the official 2026 song in the mix. We’ll likely get to see it performed in the first ever World Cup final halftime show this July at MetLife Stadium, as FIFA recently announced that Shakira is taking the field alongside Madonna and BTS. Though perhaps not as life-altering as “Waka Waka,” its strong beat and reggaeton influence still make it a favorite that I’m sure will be remembered.

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Del Mundo Jamz: A Latine soundtrack to the men’s FIFA World Cup

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