RIO DE JANEIRO — The “African Giant” is taking his talents to the world’s biggest stage. Nigerian superstar Burna Boy is set to lead the global soundtrack for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, collaborating with Colombian icon Shakira on the official theme song titled “Dai Dai.”
The announcement came Thursday as Shakira shared a vibrant teaser on Instagram, filmed at the historic Maracanã Stadium in Brazil. The track, which officially drops on May 14, marks a significant milestone for Nigerian music as it prepares to soundtrack the first-ever 48-team tournament hosted across Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
Burna Boy’s inclusion as a primary voice for the 2026 anthem solidifies his status as a go-to performer for elite sporting events.
This latest feat adds to an impressive resume of high-profile appearances, including the 2023 UEFA Champions League Final where he became the first African artist to headline the Kick-Off Show in Istanbul, performing for a global audience of millions.
He also headlined the halftime show at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City alongside fellow Nigerian stars Tems and Rema, and performed at the Lionesses Victory Parade in celebration of the England women’s team after their Euro triumph in 2025.
The “Dai Dai” collaboration continues a remarkable trend of Nigerian artists soundtracking the world’s most-watched events. Most recently, Davido dominated the airwaves with “Le Show,” the headline anthem for the AFCON 2025 in Morocco. Performing alongside French Montana and RedOne at the opening ceremony in Rabat, Davido’s performance was hailed as a defining moment for African unity.
This follows Davido’s trailblazing role in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he featured on the lead track “Hayya Hayya (Better Together).”
Other notable Nigerian contributions to the sports world include Rema’s performance at the 2023 Ballon d’Or and Tems headlining the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup festivities, as well as Yemi Alade performing at the opening ceremony of the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire, where she also headlined the official theme song “Akwaba” alongside Ivorian group Magic System and Egyptian artist Mohamed Ramadan.
While Burna Boy brings the Afrobeats heat, the collaboration maintains the World Cup’s rich musical tradition through Shakira. The 49-year-old singer — famed for her 2010 anthem “Waka Waka” — teased the new video featuring dancers in various national colours and match balls from previous tournaments (2006, 2010, and 2014) where she played a central role.
As the tournament approaches its June 11 start date, “Dai Dai” stands as a bridge between Shakira’s legendary World Cup history, the unstoppable global rise of Nigerian music, and the timeless connection between sports and music.
