Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Burna Boy has revealed that British music star Ed Sheeran played a key role in preparing him for the pressure of performing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
Speaking during an interview with Capital FM, Burna Boy said Sheeran was the first person to contact him about joining Colombian superstar Shakira on Dai Dai, the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to the Afrofusion star, Sheeran reached out to discuss the collaboration and also warned him about the demands of performing on football’s biggest stage.
Burna Boy explained that Sheeran, who understands his personality, wanted him to be mentally ready for the intensity of the event. He said the British singer cautioned him that performing at the World Cup final would be stressful and encouraged him to prepare for the experience.
The Nigerian artist described Sheeran as intelligent, considerate and easy to work with, adding that their relationship has grown beyond music. He praised the Shape of You singer for always knowing what he is doing and for looking out for him throughout the process.
Burna Boy’s comments come weeks after Shakira shared why she was determined to feature him on Dai Dai. In an earlier interview, the Colombian singer said she wanted a powerful male voice that would match the song’s Afrobeats-inspired sound and reflect the energy of the World Cup.
She recalled waiting nearly three weeks for Burna Boy to record and send his verse, admitting she feared he might not take part in the project. However, she said his contribution exceeded her expectations and completed the record perfectly.
Dai Dai, co-written by Ed Sheeran and producer Alexander Castillo, served as the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Burna Boy and Shakira first performed the song during the tournament’s opening ceremony in Mexico City on June 11 before returning to the stage for the inaugural FIFA World Cup final halftime show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19. The performance also featured Uganda’s Ghetto Kids dance troupe.
