World Cup

Shakira’s Waka Waka music video has surpassed 3.3 billion views as the World Cup’s most streamed song. Image via YouTube screenshot

‘Waka Waka’: World Cup song surpasses 3.3 billion views [video]

Does ‘Waka Waka’ remain undefeated as the best Fifa World Cup song? Take a visit down memory lane with these previous anthems…

World Cup

Shakira’s Waka Waka music video has surpassed 3.3 billion views as the World Cup’s most streamed song. Image via YouTube screenshot

The 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar is almost over, and football fans are revelling in the last magic of the tournament by streaming some of the most popular songs and anthems – like Waka Waka – from previous years

The competition kicked off with a nostalgic rendition of past World Cup songs like the 2010 anthem, made famous by Colombian singer Shakira. It also included hit songs like Wavin Flag by K’naan and We Are One (Ole Ola) by Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte.

The ceremony also brought with it a new shining star and anthem – Dreamers by BTS singer Jung Kook.

The World Cup officially kicked off on 20 November and will run until 18 December. The football tournament features 32 participating countries and 64 matches.

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JUNG KOOK MAKES HIS MARK WITH WORLD CUP SONG

Joining US actor Morgan Freeman who made a surprise appearance at the World Cup opening ceremony, Jung Kook took to the stage to belt out his hit called Dreamers.

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Jung Kook joins several other artists on the Fifa World Cup 2022 soundtrack.

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Other songs include:

  • Hayya Hayya (Better Together) – features Trinidad singer Cardona, Nigerian superstar Davido, and Qatari performer Aisha.
  • The World is Yours to Take – a collab between US rapper Lil Baby and British pop rock band Tears For Fears.
  • Tukoh Taka – by US rapper Nicki Minaj and Brazilian pop star Maluma.
  • Respecting the culture of host country Qatar, the soundtrack also features some of the Arab world’s most famous female singers like Balqees, Nora Fatehi, Manal, and Rahma Riad, who collaborate on the song Light Up The Sky.

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IS ‘WAKA WAKA’ STILL THE BEST SONG?

Following Jung Kook’s performance, many fans – particularly members of the BTS “Army” – gave the singer and his World Cup track the thumbs up.

Some even went as far as claiming that it had “dethroned” Waka Waka.

On the flip side, others claimed that Shakira’s hit song performed with SA’s own Freshlyground – which has a whopping 3.3 billion views on YouTube – remains the undefeated champion.

Which song do you think takes the win for a World Cup anthem? Watch the music video for all the hits songs below and decide for yourself…