Global music star Shakira has revealed that she specifically chose Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy for the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, Dai Dai, because she wanted a powerful masculine voice to match the song’s Afrobeat-inspired sound.
Speaking in an interview aired on July 8, the Colombian singer said the tournament carries “a big male energy,” making Burna Boy the perfect fit for the collaboration.
She explained that while the song blends Afrobeats, Caribbean sounds and elements of R&B, it is predominantly Afrobeat, adding that she had admired Burna Boy’s music for years and always wanted to work with him.
Shakira disclosed that although the singer took about 20 days to send his verse, she remained hopeful before eventually receiving what she described as “magic.” “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 was performed by the duo at both the tournament’s opening ceremony and the inaugural World Cup final halftime show.