NEWS
“I Was So Obsessed About Having Burna on This Track” — Pop Star, Shakira Reveals Why She Chose Nigerian Star for 2026 FIFA World Cup Anthem
Global pop icon Shakira has opened up on why she selected Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy to feature on Dai Dai, the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, revealing that collaborating with the Grammy-winning singer had long been one of her musical ambitions.
The Colombian singer explained that Burna Boy’s unique voice and deep connection to Afrobeats made him the ideal artist to bring the song to life.
Speaking during an interview that aired on July 8 on Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill, Shakira said the musical direction of the World Cup anthem required a powerful male vocal that would perfectly complement its Afrobeat-inspired sound.
“Well, once I had the song, I felt that I really needed a male vocal, a male voice in the song.
“I don’t know, because the World Cup carries a big male energy, you know? And so I was like, who can give me that, you know, very masculine voice that I want in this sort of like Afrobeat setting?” she said.
According to Shakira, although Dai Dai incorporates different musical influences, its foundation is deeply rooted in Afrobeats.
“Because this song is very Afrobeat-y, but it also has some Caribbean sounds and a little bit of, like, R&B-ish, but it’s mostly Afrobeat,” she explained.
The singer further disclosed that her admiration for Burna Boy’s artistry did not begin with the World Cup project, revealing that she had always hoped to collaborate with the Nigerian music star.
“And I always loved Burna. I always wanted to do something with him,” she said.
Shakira also shared details of how the collaboration came together, explaining that although Burna Boy immediately expressed interest in joining the project, she had to wait nearly three weeks before receiving his contribution.
“So I called him. I’m like, ‘Hey, are you down to do this?’ And he’s like, ‘Yeah, why not?’
“It took a while. I was waiting for 20 days for him to send something. And I’m like, ‘Okay, maybe he’s not going to do it.’”
Despite the delay, she said her patience paid off when Burna Boy eventually delivered a performance that exceeded her expectations.
“But then he sent his magic and it was just absolutely perfect.
“I think his voice is just… It works so well on this song. So well. I couldn’t imagine anybody else on it, actually.”
Shakira added that she was determined from the beginning to have Burna Boy on the World Cup anthem, describing her desire to feature him as unwavering.
“I was so obsessed about having Burna on this track. I’m so glad that I got him,” she said.
Dai Dai served as the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and became one of the tournament’s defining musical highlights.
Shakira and Burna Boy first performed the anthem during the tournament’s opening ceremony on June 11, 2026, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The pair later reunited for another performance during the historic first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show on July 19, 2026, at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where they were joined by Uganda’s Ghetto Kids dance group, delivering a memorable finale to the global football spectacle.