Global pop icon Shakira has revealed why Nigerian music superstar Burna Boy was her first choice for the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying his distinctive voice and commanding presence made him the perfect collaborator for the Afrobeats-inspired anthem.
The Colombian singer shared the details during an interview on the Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill, explaining that she deliberately sought a powerful male vocalist whose sound could complement the energy and global appeal of the tournament.
According to Shakira, the song's musical direction naturally pointed her toward Burna Boy, whose artistry she had admired for years.
“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?”
She noted that while the track blends multiple musical influences, including Caribbean rhythms and elements of R&B, Afrobeats remains its dominant identity.
“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.”
Shakira also disclosed that working with Burna Boy had been on her wish list long before the World Cup project came along, describing herself as a longtime admirer of the Grammy-winning Nigerian singer.
“And I always loved Burna. I always wanted to do something with him.”
She recalled reaching out to Burna Boy with the collaboration proposal and said he immediately welcomed the idea.
“So I called him. I’m like, ‘Hey, are you down to do this?’ And he’s like, ‘Yeah, why not?’”
However, she admitted that she became concerned after waiting nearly three weeks without receiving his contribution to the record.
“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.'”
Despite her initial worries, Shakira said the wait proved worthwhile when Burna Boy eventually delivered his verse, which she described as exactly what the song needed.
“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.”
The singer further revealed that securing Burna Boy's participation was one of her biggest priorities during the production process.
“I was so obsessed about having Burna on this track. I’m so glad that I got him.”
The collaboration resulted in "Dai Dai," which was selected as the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Shakira and Burna Boy debuted the anthem during the tournament's opening ceremony on June 11 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. They later reunited to perform the song during the inaugural FIFA World Cup final halftime show on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where they were joined by Uganda's celebrated dance group, the Ghetto Kids.
The project represents another milestone in Shakira's long association with FIFA World Cup music, following the enduring global success of "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)," the official anthem of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
For Burna Boy, the collaboration further underscores the continued global rise of Afrobeats, with the Nigerian superstar playing a central role in taking the genre to some of the world's biggest stages and reinforcing its influence in mainstream international music.