Colombian global music icon Shakira has opened up about her decision to collaborate with Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar Burna Boy on the official song for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, revealing that she specifically wanted his unique voice on the track.
The singer made the revelation during a recent appearance on the Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill, where she discussed the creative process behind “Dai Dai,” the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to Shakira, Burna Boy’s distinctive vocal style and powerful stage presence made him the perfect artist for the collaboration.
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Shakira praises Burna Boy
Speaking during the interview, Shakira explained that she had always admired Burna Boy’s music and had long wanted to work with him.
She admitted that she was determined to feature the Nigerian Afrobeats star on the World Cup anthem.
“I have always loved Burna. I was obsessed with getting him on the track, so I called him,” she said.
The Colombian superstar added that once Burna Boy joined the project, everything came together naturally.
Wanted a strong masculine voice
Shakira explained that while working on “Dai Dai,” she realised the song needed a powerful male vocal to complement her own voice.
According to her, Burna Boy’s energetic delivery and distinctive sound perfectly matched what the production team envisioned.
She said his contribution gave the song a unique blend of Afrobeats, pop and global musical influences.
“I couldn’t imagine anybody else on it, actually,” she added.
A global collaboration
“Dai Dai” brings together two of the world’s biggest music stars, combining Shakira’s internationally recognised Latin pop sound with Burna Boy’s signature Afrobeats style.
The collaboration has been praised by fans for celebrating cultural diversity while creating a song designed to unite football supporters across the globe.
The anthem was officially unveiled as part of FIFA’s build-up to the 2026 World Cup and has since become one of the tournament’s signature songs.
Burna Boy’s growing global influence
The collaboration represents another major international milestone for Burna Boy, whose career has continued to grow beyond Africa over the past few years.
The Nigerian singer has collaborated with several global music stars and has become one of the leading ambassadors of Afrobeats on the international stage.
His appearance on the official FIFA World Cup anthem further highlights the increasing global popularity of African music.
Historic World Cup halftime show
Shakira and Burna Boy also performed “Dai Dai” during the first-ever FIFA World Cup halftime show, making history as part of the tournament’s biggest entertainment spectacle.
The performance, inspired by the Super Bowl halftime format, featured several international artists and was watched by millions of football fans worldwide.
Their performance received widespread praise for its energetic choreography, vibrant production and celebration of different musical cultures.
Fans celebrate the partnership
Following Shakira’s comments, many fans praised the chemistry between both artists, saying the collaboration felt natural from the very first listen.
Others described Burna Boy as one of the few African artists capable of matching Shakira’s global appeal while maintaining his authentic musical identity.
The partnership has also been celebrated as another landmark moment for Afrobeats, which continues to gain recognition on some of the world’s biggest entertainment platforms.
With “Dai Dai” serving as the soundtrack to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Shakira’s admiration for Burna Boy has given fans a deeper insight into how one of football’s biggest songs came together.
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Learn more about the FIFA World Cup at the official FIFA website: https://www.fifa.com/
