Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy and Colombian music icon Shakira have delighted fans after sharing a heartwarming moment ahead of their highly anticipated performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final.
The two global music stars were seen embracing, laughing and posing together during rehearsals for Sunday’s historic halftime show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, United States.
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The moment has quickly gone viral across social media, building excitement ahead of what promises to be one of the biggest entertainment spectacles in football history.
Fans can follow Burna Boy’s updates on his official X account.
1. Burna Boy shares heartwarming rehearsal video
Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ogulu, shared the behind-the-scenes clip on his official X account on Friday.
The short video captured the Grammy-winning singer warmly hugging Shakira before the pair exchanged smiles and laughter outside production trailers at the stadium.
Alongside the clip, Burna Boy wrote:
“Sunday Prep! @shakira See you at the @FIFAWorldCup Final! Dai dai, ikó, dale, allez, let’s go!”
The post immediately attracted thousands of reactions from football lovers and music fans around the world.
2. They will perform the official World Cup anthem
FIFA has already confirmed that Burna Boy and Shakira will perform “Dai Dai,” the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, during Sunday’s final.
The anthem blends Afrobeats with Latin pop, reflecting the multicultural spirit of the tournament.
The song has become one of the defining soundtracks of the competition since it was officially unveiled during the opening ceremony in Mexico City.
Its popularity has continued to grow throughout the tournament, with millions of streams recorded across digital platforms.
3. History will be made during the final
Sunday’s performance will mark the first-ever FIFA World Cup halftime show, inspired by the famous entertainment format traditionally associated with the NFL Super Bowl.
FIFA partnered with Global Citizen to introduce the new concept as part of efforts to further expand the global entertainment appeal of football’s biggest event.
The production is being directed by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who has helped oversee preparations involving some of the world’s biggest entertainers.
The initiative represents one of FIFA’s biggest changes to the World Cup final experience.
4. A star-studded entertainment lineup
Burna Boy and Shakira will not be performing alone.
According to FIFA, the halftime show will also feature appearances by:
- BTS
- Madonna
- Justin Bieber
- Gustavo Dudamel
- PS22 Chorus with Coldplay
- Sesame Street characters
- The Muppets
The diverse lineup combines music, culture and family entertainment to create one of the largest halftime productions ever staged at a football event.
5. Longer halftime to accommodate the show
Unlike traditional FIFA World Cup matches that feature a standard 15-minute halftime break, Sunday’s final will include an extended interval.
Reports indicate that the musical performance itself will last approximately 11 minutes, while additional time will be required for stage construction and removal.
The temporary extension has been carefully planned to ensure the entertainment production does not interfere with the quality of the football spectacle.
6. The show supports a global charity initiative
Beyond entertainment, the halftime show also carries a humanitarian purpose.
According to FIFA, the event will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative designed to improve access to education and football opportunities for children worldwide.
The programme aims to mobilise resources that will benefit disadvantaged communities through educational projects and grassroots football development.
Organisers hope the global audience watching the final will also become aware of the charitable campaign accompanying the event.
7. Spain and Argentina prepare for a blockbuster final
While millions of viewers eagerly anticipate the halftime show, the main attraction remains the 2026 FIFA World Cup final itself.
Defending champions Argentina booked their place after defeating England 2-1 in a dramatic semifinal.
European champions Spain secured their own place by overcoming France 2-0 in the other semifinal.
The clash between two football powerhouses promises to deliver an unforgettable conclusion to one of the most exciting World Cups in recent history.
Global excitement continues to build
The images of Burna Boy and Shakira together have generated enormous excitement across social media.
Many fans praised the chemistry between the two performers and expressed anticipation for their rendition of “Dai Dai” before a worldwide television audience expected to reach hundreds of millions of viewers.
For Burna Boy, the performance represents another historic milestone in an already remarkable international career.
Having become one of Africa’s most influential music exports, performing at the inaugural FIFA World Cup halftime show further strengthens his position as a global ambassador for Afrobeats.
As football fans count down to Sunday’s final between Spain and Argentina, music lovers are equally eager to witness history as Burna Boy and Shakira headline the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final halftime show, combining sport, entertainment and global culture on one of the world’s biggest stages.
