“He Speaks to the Spirit of the World”: Shakira Opens Up About Collaborating with Burna Boy on FIFA World Cup Anthem

Colombian superstar Shakira has revealed why she chose Nigerian Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy as her collaborator for "Dai Dai," the official anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The track, blends Latin pop, Afro-fusion, and dance-pop elements across five languages (English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Japanese), has become a global chart-topper since its release.

Speaking about the partnership, the "Queen of World Cup Anthems" explained that she wanted a collaborator who could authentically bridge global cultures and capture the raw, electrifying energy of football fans worldwide.

Shakira praised Burna Boy's unmatched ability to elevate Afro-fusion onto the international stage, stating that his distinct tone and rhythmic style brought an irreplaceable soul to the record.

She highlighted that football is a unifying global language, and pairing Latin rhythms with African percussion felt like the most natural way to represent the spirit of the tournament.

According to Shakira, Burna Boy's creative input during the song's writing and recording process gave "Dai Dai" its motivational, high-energy core.

Joining a star-studded lineup that featured Madonna, BTS, and Coldplay's Chris Martin, Shakira and Burna Boy's energetic rendition of "Dai Dai" stood out as one of the defining pop culture moments of the tournament.

What do you think of "Dai Dai" compared to previous World Cup anthems like "Waka Waka"? Did Shakira and Burna Boy’s genre-bending blend live up to the hype? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

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