Shakira Reveals Why Burna Boy Was Her First Choice for 2026 FIFA World Cup Anthem ‘Dai Dai’
Colombian music superstar Shakira has explained why she selected Nigerian Afrobeats icon Burna Boy to feature on “Dai Dai,” the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to Shakira, the song’s Afrobeats driven sound and the energy of the World Cup influenced her decision to bring in a male vocalist with a powerful presence. She said Burna Boy was her preferred choice because his voice complemented the song’s musical direction and global football appeal.
“Once I had the song, I felt that I really needed a male vocal, a male voice in the song,” Shakira said in a recent interview. “The World Cup carries a big male energy,” she added, explaining that she was looking for a voice that could deliver the right combination of strength and Afrobeats influence.
The Colombian singer also revealed that she had long admired Burna Boy and had always wanted to collaborate with him. She said the Nigerian star was her first choice for the track and recalled waiting for about 20 days for him to send his contribution before he eventually delivered what she described as a perfect verse.
“Dai Dai” combines Shakira’s Latin-pop influence with Burna Boy’s Afrobeats sound, alongside Caribbean and R&B elements. The collaboration marked a significant moment for African music on one of football’s biggest global stages, further highlighting the growing international influence of Afrobeats.
The song was released as the official 2026 FIFA World Cup song, with royalties supporting education initiatives linked to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. The collaboration also reinforced Shakira’s long standing connection with the World Cup, following her global success with “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” the iconic anthem of the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
The partnership between Shakira and Burna Boy reflects the increasingly global nature of football and popular music, bringing together Latin, African and international sounds for audiences across continents.
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