Colombian singer Shakira is mounting a significant challenge to claim the top spot on the United Kingdom’s official singles chart, currently dominated by Sam Fender and Olivia Dean. The duo’s track, "Rein Me In," is vying to extend what could become the longest-running No. 1 hit in UK chart history.

After two days of sales tracking, Shakira’s World Cup anthem "Dai Dai," featuring Burna Boy, is narrowly ahead by 609 copies. If Shakira’s single secures the top position, it would mark her first UK No. 1 single in 19 years since "Beautiful Liar," her collaboration with Beyoncé.

Sam Fender and Olivia Dean have held the No. 1 slot for 18 weeks with "Rein Me In," a record-tying run that matches Frankie Laine’s 1953 hit "I Believe." The duo’s song first reached the summit five months ago, over a year after its original release, and could set a new record if it maintains its lead.

Streaming data reveals a mixed picture. On Spotify, "Rein Me In" garnered 381,000 streams on Friday, surpassing the 314,000 streams for "Dai Dai," though Shakira’s track has performed strongly in digital download sales. "Dai Dai" was initially released in May and has seen a steady increase in popularity in recent weeks.

The timing of Shakira’s surge aligns with her upcoming 12-night residency at a stadium she developed in Madrid, scheduled to begin in September, suggesting a strategic push to maximize visibility and audience engagement.

The chart battle underscores the ongoing dynamic between digital sales and streaming in determining chart success, with Shakira’s World Cup anthem injecting fresh competition into the UK music scene as it seeks to displace a dominant chart-topping hit.