Global music star Shakira has explained why she selected Nigerian Afrobeats singer Burna Boy to feature on the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying his voice was exactly what the track needed.
Speaking in an interview on the Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill, the Colombian singer said she wanted a strong male vocal to complement the song’s Afrobeat-inspired sound and capture the energy of the World Cup. She added that she had admired Burna Boy’s music for years and had always hoped to collaborate with him.
Shakira revealed that although Burna Boy took about 20 days to send his verse, the wait was worthwhile because his contribution perfectly matched the vision she had for the song. She said she could not imagine another artist delivering the role as effectively.
The song, Dai Dai, blends Afrobeats with Caribbean and R&B influences and served as the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Shakira and Burna Boy first performed it during the tournament’s opening ceremony at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City before reuniting for the inaugural FIFA World Cup final halftime show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, alongside Uganda’s Ghetto Kids dance group.
The collaboration marks another World Cup milestone for Shakira following the success of Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) in 2010, while further highlighting Afrobeats’ growing influence on the global music scene.
