MUMBAI: Sony Music Entertainment and FIFA have zeroed in on Shakira's track 'Waka Waka' (This Time For Africa) as the official song for the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup to be held in South Africa.
Shakira who has written and co-produced the track will perform along with South African artist Freshlyground, at the Closing Ceremony before the FIFA World Cup(TM) Final on July 11 in Johannesburg Soccer City Stadium.
The song combines Afro-Colombian instrumentation and rhythms with a rousing Soca beat and Southern African guitar. It will be launched on April 28, 2010 and made available for download through digital retail outlets on 11 May. It also will be included on 'Listen Up! The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album' to be released on 31 May by Sony Music Entertainment. A Spanish language version of the track, Waka Waka (Esto es Africa), will be made available in certain markets.
Proceeds from the album will benefit FIFA's '20 Centers for 2010' initiative, whose aim is to achieve positive social change through football by building twenty Football for Hope centers for public health, education and football across Africa, and other African charities.