A social media “Shakira becomes lucky charm for Spain’s win” theory is gaining traction this week, with fans noting that Spain has won the World Cup both times when ever Shakira released the tournament’s official anthem, sparking playful online debate over whether the singer brings the team good luck.
The pattern traces back to 2010, when Shakira released “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” ahead of the World Cup in South Africa, that year Spain won its first ever World Cup title, defeating the Netherlands in the final.
The theory resurfaced this year after Shakira released “Dai Dai,” featuring Burna Boy, as the official song for the 2026 tournament held across North America, Spain went on to capture its second World Cup title, defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time.
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Fans online have also pointed to Shakira’s personal ties to Spain, noting she shares two sons with former Spain and FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, adding another layer to the online conversation about her connection to the team’s success.
Reactions have ranged from playful to enthusiastic, with one social media user suggesting Shakira’s involvement has effectively become a lucky charm for Spain, while another joked that Argentina and Portugal might now want to recruit her to sing their own national anthems in hopes of similar success.
Beyond the anthem theory, Spain’s recent dominance reflects a broader trend in Spanish football. The men’s national team’s title in 2010 and 2026 came alongside sustained success across Spanish football more broadly, including the women’s national team’s World Cup win in 2023.
Shakira – Spain’s lucky charm! 🇪🇸
Every time Shakira has released an official FIFA World Cup song, Spain has gone on to win the World Cup. pic.twitter.com/Z8OhW7PrHB
— SportsGully (@thesportsgully) July 21, 2026
Spain player Alexia Putellas has previously noted the strong overlap between the men’s and women’s programs, describing them as part of the same football ecosystem, from youth development through the senior national teams.
David Gutierrez, director of the National School of Coaches at Spain’s football federation, traces much of that success back to changes introduced by coach Luis Aragones in 2008. Jose Francisco Molina, who served as the federation’s sporting director for men’s football from 2018 to the end of 2022, shares that view.
Aragones with recognizing Spain’s talent pipeline and building a cohesive national team style around it, a strategy the federation has continued to prioritize given its long-term success.
Whether or not Shakira’s music truly plays a role, Spain’s back to back title runs have only added fuel to the fan theory heading into future tournaments.
