As the FIFA World Cup 2026 was about to start on 11th June, Burna Boy and Shakira performed Dai Dai before the biggest football tournament. As 80,000 people are seated to watch the World Cup 2026, Shakira walks out in a bright yellow mesh bodysuit and the crowd erupts. This is because Shakira and the World Cup are inseparable in a way few artists and events ever become.
Shakira did this performance alongside Burna Boy who arrived at the World Cup and dressed in a turquoise and yellow flag that covers the entire field.
Burna Boy and Shakira performed Dai Dai at World Cup 2026 thereby making it the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This collaboration is seen as another milestone in Afrobeat’s continued global rise, following previous successes at the Grammys and other international platforms like BET Awards.
Burna Boy and Shakira Performance at the Azteca Was a Historic Moment for African Music
The Venue for where Burna Boy and Shakira performed Dai Dai is Estadio Azteca, Mexico City. It is one of the most iconic stadiums in the world with a capacity 87,000 seaters. The performance was the official opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026 which is co-hosted by Mexico, USA, and Canada. Burna Boy and Shakira performed Dai Dai just before the opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
Shakira opened the performance with her dancers where they delivered high-energy choreography in a bright yellow outfit. Burna Boy later joined her bringing his Afrobeat’s energy into the performance.
They performed together with a large group of dancers on a massive turquoise-and-yellow stage setup that covered part of the pitch. The performance ended with the crowd chanting and plumes of red and green smoke which is Mexico’s flag colors were erupting from the stadium.
This is a historic moment for African music because it was the first time a major African artist performed live at the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup. Burna Boy became one of the very few African artists to headline such a high-profile FIFA moment alongside a global superstar like Shakira.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup features the largest contingent of African teams in the tournament’s history with 10 nations qualifying. So, it’s a great achievement for African Music as Burna Boy and Shakira performed Dai Dai at World Cup on a global stage. The song blends Shakira’s Latin pop style with Burna Boy’s Afrobeat sound.
What Does Dai Dai Actually Mean and Why the Title Was Chosen
Dai Dai is an Italian slang which means ‘Let’s go! Let’s go!’ and it is a motivational chant to stir people to give their all, push harder, or keep going.
The song was released on May 15 2026 through Ace Entertainment and Sony Music Latin. Its songwriters are Shakira, Burna Boy, Benny Adam, Jon Bellion, Ed Sheeran and Alexander Castillo.
The title Dai Dai was originated considering the fact that the event is a universal sporting chanting and the energy behind the song is motivational and positive.
Final Thought as Burna Boy and Shakira performed Dai Dai at World Cup
Shakira explained in interviews that the song is meant to inspire every child who has been told their dream is too big, using football as a metaphor for life’s struggles and triumphs.
Sixteen years ago, Shakira sang Waka Waka for a World Cup held in Africa and the world fell in love with the African sound. Now in 2026, Burna Boy and Shakira performed Dai Dai at World Cup.
What do you think of Dai Dai as the World Cup song? Does it match the energy of Waka Waka or is it in a different league entirely? Tell us below. EasySmallTalk covers politics, entertainment, health, lifestyle, and world news every day. Explore more stories on EasySmallTalk
