Shakira Explains Why She Chose Burna Boy for 2026 World Cup Anthem

Colombian superstar Shakira says Nigerian singer Burna Boy was the right fit for 'Dai Dai' because the 2026 FIFA World Cup song needed a strong male voice

She made this known during an interview on Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill aired on July 8.

“When I completed the track, I knew it had to have a man singing on it,” Shakira said.

“The World Cup comes with a lot of male energy. So I started thinking about who could give me that power on an Afrobeat record.”

According to her, 'Dai Dai' is built mainly on Afrobeat, but also has Caribbean and R&B touches. She added that she has followed Burna Boy’s career for years and had hoped to work with him.

“I’ve always loved Burna’s music. I’ve always wanted to do a song with him,” she said.

Shakira said she called Burna Boy herself and he accepted. But it took a while to get his part.

“I asked him if he was in. He said yes.

I waited close to 20 days for his verse. There was a time I thought it might not happen.”

She said the wait was worth it when his recording finally came in.

“The moment he sent it, it was perfect. Pure magic.

His voice blends into the song so well. I can’t picture anyone else on it.

I was really set on having Burna. I’m happy it came together.”

'Dai Dai' was chosen as the official anthem for the 2026 World Cup. Shakira and Burna Boy performed it live for the first time at the opening ceremony on June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

The two stars performed it again on July 19, 2026, during the first halftime show ever held at a World Cup final. The event took place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with Uganda’s Ghetto Kids joining them on stage.

The project adds to Shakira’s history with World Cup music. She previously released Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) for the 2010 tournament. For Burna Boy, the collaboration shows how far Afrobeats has grown, with 'Dai Dai' becoming one of the most talked-about songs of the tournament

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