Global music icon Shakira has revealed that Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy was her first choice for the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying his powerful voice and distinctive musical style made him the ideal collaborator for the tournament’s anthem, Dai Dai.
Speaking during an interview aired on Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill on July 8, the Colombian singer explained that she deliberately wanted a strong male vocalist whose sound would complement the Afrobeat foundation of the song while reflecting the energy associated with the FIFA World Cup.
According to Shakira, the tournament naturally carries a strong masculine identity, making Burna Boy the perfect fit for the collaboration.
“Once I had the song, I felt that I really needed a male vocal, a male voice in the song. The World Cup carries a big male energy, and I wanted someone who could bring that powerful masculine voice into an Afrobeat setting,” she said.
The Grammy-winning singer disclosed that although Dai Dai blends Afrobeat with Caribbean influences and elements of R&B, Afrobeats remains the song’s dominant musical identity. She added that Burna Boy’s artistry perfectly aligned with the creative direction she envisioned.
“This song is very Afrobeat-inspired, although it also has some Caribbean sounds and a little bit of R&B. But it’s mostly Afrobeat,” she explained.
Shakira also admitted she had admired Burna Boy’s music for years and had long hoped to work with the Nigerian singer on a major international project. She said she contacted him personally after completing the song and was delighted when he accepted the invitation.
Despite waiting almost three weeks for Burna Boy to submit his verse, Shakira said she remained hopeful the collaboration would materialise.
“It took about 20 days before he sent anything. At one point, I thought maybe it wasn’t going to happen. But when he finally sent his part, it was pure magic. It was absolutely perfect,” she recalled.
The singer praised Burna Boy’s vocal performance, saying his contribution elevated the record beyond her expectations.
“His voice works so well on this song. I honestly can’t imagine anybody else on it. I was obsessed with having Burna on this track, and I’m so glad I got him,” she added.
Dai Dai served as the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Shakira and Burna Boy delivering its debut performance during the tournament’s opening ceremony at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.
The pair reunited for another performance during the inaugural FIFA World Cup final halftime show at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, joined by Uganda’s renowned Ghetto Kids dance troupe in a colourful performance watched by millions across the globe.
The collaboration marked another successful World Cup project for Shakira, whose Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) became one of football’s most iconic tournament songs after the 2010 FIFA World Cup. For Burna Boy, the collaboration further cemented Afrobeats’ growing influence on the global stage, with Dai Dai emerging as one of the standout musical successes of the 2026 tournament.
(The Sun)