With every World Cup comes the spate of tied in songs, some to support specific teams, others to try and capture the spirit of the international football fever that grips the world every fourth summer.

With the 2010 World Cup in South Africa fast approaching, one of the first of such tracks to hit the news is an offering from Columbian pop superstar Shakira.

The single, entitled Saminamina, is recorded entirely in Spanish, though as with a lot of Shakira’s music it is likely that an English language version will be available in time for the start of the World Cup on June the 11th.

Saminamina, which contains a sample of an 80’s track called Zangalewa from Cameroon, blends Shakira’s familiar Latin sound with African beats as a tribute to the host nation.

Shakira’s own country, Columbia, did not qualify and so will not actually be at the World Cup, but she will be there at the opening ceremony to perform the track. You may remember that Shakira also featured in the closing ceremony of the last World Cup in 2006, where she performed her hit single “Hips Don’t Lie”.

Other artists confirmed to be appearing at the opening spectacle are American acts Alisha Keys and the Black Eyed Peas. The Black Eyed Peas released a World cup single for the 2006 World Cup with Sergio Mendes. Their version of Mas Que Nada featured a Brazilian themed video, in honour of the then favourites. Unlike Shakira these artists will be able to support their country in the tournament – the USA are in Group C alongside England, and are seeded 11th in the world, despite soccer not receiving the same degree of popularity in the States that it has in most of the rest of the world.

This opening ceremony is being anticipated with a lot of excitement in South Africa, where is it being billed as the biggest entertainment event that Africa has ever hosted. It will be televised all around the world.

As well as these global music stars, the concert will also feature African artists, and appearances by some all time football greats. Further announcements about the line up are expected in the coming weeks.

Other acts who have already announced World Cup singles include Pharrell Williams, Daddy Yankee and After School, and there are bound to be more tracks yet to come. There are always some, often quite terrible songs released in support of the England squad after all!

The official song for the 2010 World Cup, selected by FIFA, is entitled “Wavin’ Flag” and is by Somali rap artist K’naan. This will be the anthem for the tournament and is intended to represent the concept of change in Africa that organizers are hoping the World Cup will promote. K’naan’s song is hoped to encapsulate the feelings of hope and pride people around the world can unite in at major sporting events like this.