Global music star Shakira has explained why she selected Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy to feature on the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, Dai Dai, saying his powerful voice was exactly what the song required.
Speaking during an interview aired on July 8, the Colombian singer said she wanted a strong male vocalist to balance the track’s energy, which she described as being heavily influenced by Afrobeats.
According to Shakira, the song combines Afrobeat with elements of Caribbean music and R&B, making Burna Boy the ideal artist to bring the vision to life.
She revealed that she had admired Burna Boy’s music for a long time and had always hoped they would collaborate on a project.
Shakira said she personally reached out to the Grammy-winning Nigerian singer to invite him to feature on the song, and although he accepted the offer, it took about 20 days before he sent his verse.
She admitted that she briefly thought the collaboration might not happen, but was delighted when Burna Boy eventually delivered what she described as a perfect performance.
The singer praised Burna Boy’s vocals, saying his voice blended seamlessly with the song and that she could not imagine another artist filling the role.
Shakira also disclosed that she was determined to have Burna Boy on the record because she believed he was the perfect fit for its sound and message.
Dai Dai served as the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Shakira and Burna Boy debuting the song during the tournament’s opening ceremony on June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The pair later reunited for another performance during the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, alongside Uganda’s Ghetto Kids dance troupe.
The collaboration marks another successful World Cup soundtrack for Shakira following the global success of Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), while also highlighting the growing international influence of Afrobeats through Burna Boy’s participation.
