‘I Was Obsessed’: Shakira Reveals Why She Chose Burna Boy for 2026 World Cup Anthem ‘Dai Dai’

• Global pop icon Shakira has opened up about her decision to collaborate with Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy on the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, “Dai Dai,” saying she was determined to have him on the track and that his powerful voice made him the ideal collaborator.

Global music icon Shakira has disclosed why she chose Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy for the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, “Dai Dai,” saying she wanted a strong masculine voice to complement the song’s Afrobeat-inspired sound. Speaking in an interview that aired on the Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill on July 8, the Colombian singer explained that the song’s energy and musical direction made Burna Boy the perfect choice for the collaboration.

According to Shakira, the tournament naturally carries a strong masculine identity, making Burna Boy the ideal fit for the collaboration. She explained that once she had completed the song, she felt she really needed a male vocal presence in the track because the World Cup carries a big male energy, and she wanted someone who could bring that powerful masculine voice into an Afrobeat setting. The Grammy-winning singer disclosed that although “Dai Dai” blends Afrobeat with Caribbean influences and elements of R&B, Afrobeats remains the song’s dominant musical identity. She added that Burna Boy’s artistry perfectly aligned with the creative direction she envisioned, noting that the song is very Afrobeat-inspired, although it also has some Caribbean sounds and a little bit of R&B, but it is mostly Afrobeat.

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Shakira also admitted she had admired Burna Boy’s music for years and had long hoped to work with the Nigerian singer on a major international project. She said she contacted him personally after completing the song and was delighted when he accepted the invitation. She confessed that she always loved Burna and always wanted to do something with him, adding that she was so obsessed about having Burna on this track and was incredibly glad that she got him. Despite waiting almost three weeks for Burna Boy to submit his verse, Shakira said she remained hopeful the collaboration would materialise. She recalled that she called him and asked if he was down to do it, and he responded positively. However, it took a while, and she waited for 20 days for him to send something, during which she began to wonder if he might not do it. The singer praised Burna Boy’s vocal performance, saying his contribution elevated the record beyond her expectations. She stated that when he finally sent his magic, it was absolutely perfect, and she could not imagine anybody else on the track because his voice worked so well on the song.

“Dai Dai” served as the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Shakira and Burna Boy delivering its debut performance during the tournament’s opening ceremony at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, 2026. The pair reunited for another performance during the inaugural FIFA World Cup final halftime show at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, joined by a star-studded lineup including Madonna, BTS, Coldplay, and Justin Bieber. Additionally, 100 percent of the song’s royalties will be donated to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which provides education and soccer resources to children around the world.

Since its release on May 14, “Dai Dai” has enjoyed global success, breaking several music records. The song became the first to top Spotify’s newly launched Global Music Video Chart and also helped Burna Boy become the first African artiste to reach No. 1 on the Apple Music Global Top Songs chart. The collaboration also saw the Nigerian star set a new record for the highest monthly listeners by an African artiste, reaching 53 million on Spotify and 600 million on YouTube Music. “Dai Dai” also made history as the first official World Cup anthem to top the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts. The song drew 41.5 million streams worldwide between July 3-9, 2026, and has amassed over 800 million combined streams across Spotify and YouTube Music, with the music video surpassing 500 million views on YouTube.

Burna Boy also made history as the first African artiste to perform at the newly introduced FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show. The collaboration marked another successful World Cup project for Shakira, whose “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” became one of football’s most iconic tournament songs after the 2010 FIFA World Cup. For Burna Boy, the collaboration further cemented Afrobeats’ growing influence on the global stage, with “Dai Dai” emerging as one of the standout musical successes of the 2026 tournament.

Shakira Reveals Why She Chose Burna Boy for 2026 World Cup Anthem ‘Dai Dai’

Super Falcons recover stolen cash after hotel theft suspect confesses

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have recovered cash stolen from several players after a suspect arrested in connection with the theft at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco, reportedly confessed to the crime, bringing relief to the team’s camp ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The breakthrough comes days after members of the Nigerian women’s national team reported that money had disappeared from their hotel rooms during the final phase of their training camp in Casablanca before the squad relocated to Rabat for the tournament.

According to officials familiar with the investigation, Moroccan security authorities arrested a suspect following an intensive inquiry involving hotel management, security personnel and local law enforcement agencies.

The suspect reportedly admitted responsibility for the theft during interrogation, and authorities have commenced arrangements to ensure that all the affected players receive full restitution of their stolen money while criminal proceedings continue under Moroccan law.

The development was disclosed by Nigerian journalist and former Super Eagles Media Officer, Colin Udoh, who said Moroccan authorities had made significant progress in the investigation.

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“I have been informed that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the theft at the Super Falcons’ Marriott Hotel in Casablanca and has confessed. Full restitution will be made to the players while the law takes its course,” Udoh wrote on Sunday.

Earlier, Super Falcons midfielder Esther Okoronkwo revealed that she, team captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and defender Michelle Alozie were among the players whose cash was stolen.

Okoronkwo disclosed that the total amount taken exceeded $1,000, adding that hotel officials initially failed to provide satisfactory explanations after the incident was reported.

She also criticised the hotel’s initial response, alleging that some officials became dismissive while the players sought answers over the missing money.

The theft occurred while the Super Falcons were camped at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca as part of their preparations for the continental tournament.

Nigeria had opened its pre-tournament training camp in Mohammedia on July 15 before relocating to Rabat, where the nine-time African champions are scheduled to play all their Group C matches.

Following the reported theft, officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) immediately engaged Moroccan authorities and hotel management, leading to a comprehensive investigation that reportedly included interviews, security reviews and the examination of surveillance footage.

The swift breakthrough has been welcomed by members of the Nigerian delegation, who expressed appreciation for the prompt response by Moroccan security agencies.

Although authorities have not officially disclosed the identity of the suspect or the exact amount recovered, investigators confirmed that arrangements are being made to return all stolen funds to the affected players.

The suspect remains in custody and is expected to face prosecution in accordance with Moroccan criminal law after the restitution process is completed.

Despite the off-field incident, the Super Falcons have maintained their focus on the 2026 WAFCON, with head coach Justine Madugu intensifying preparations for Nigeria’s opening Group C fixture against Malawi at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat.

The team held multiple training sessions at the AS FAR Training Ground as preparations gathered momentum ahead of the crucial opener.

Nigeria enters the tournament as Africa’s most successful women’s national team, having won a record 10 WAFCON titles, and is aiming to capture an unprecedented 11th continental championship.

The Super Falcons will face Malawi, Zambia and Egypt in Group C, with expectations high that the experienced squad can mount another successful title challenge.

The successful recovery of the stolen money has eased concerns within the team’s camp, allowing the players to concentrate fully on their quest to reclaim the African title.

Super Falcons recover stolen cash after hotel theft suspect confesses