Shakira Explains Why She Picked Burna Boy For 2026 World Cup Anthem

Global music star Shakira has revealed that she handpicked Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy for the official 2026 FIFA World Cup song because she wanted a powerful male voice that perfectly matched the track’s Afrobeats-inspired sound.

Speaking during an interview on the Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill, the Colombian singer said Burna Boy was the perfect fit for the collaboration because of his unique vocal style and commanding presence.

“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 Afrobeats setting?”

Shakira explained that although the song incorporates Caribbean and R&B influences, Afrobeats remained its dominant sound.

“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 Afrobeats.”

The Grammy-winning singer said she had been a longtime admirer of Burna Boy and had always hoped to collaborate with him.

“And I always loved Burna. I always wanted to do something with him.”

She disclosed that Burna Boy immediately expressed interest in the project after she reached out to him, although she admitted she became anxious after waiting nearly three weeks for his verse.

“So I called him. I’m like, ‘Hey, are you down to do this?’ And he’s like, ‘Yeah, why not?’

Read Also: Ayra Starr Names Burna Boy as Dream Collaboration Choice

“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.’”

Shakira said her patience paid off when Burna Boy eventually delivered what she described as the perfect performance.

“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.”

She added that featuring the Nigerian superstar on the World Cup anthem had been one of her biggest priorities.

“I was so obsessed about having Burna on this track. I’m so glad that I got him.”

“Dai Dai” was selected as the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Shakira and Burna Boy first performed it during the tournament’s opening ceremony on June 11 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City before returning to the stage for the inaugural FIFA World Cup final halftime show on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where they were joined by Uganda’s Ghetto Kids.

The collaboration marked Shakira’s latest contribution to FIFA World Cup music following the global success of “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” at the 2010 tournament, while Burna Boy’s involvement further highlighted Afrobeats’ growing influence on the global music scene.