Key points
- Burna Boy and Shakira perform the official 2026 FIFA World Cup song, “Dai Dai,” at the final.
- The performance headlines FIFA’s first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show.
- Uganda’s Ghetto Kids join the performance on the global stage.
- Royalties from the official song will support FIFA’s Global Citizen Education Fund.
Main story
Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy and Colombian pop icon Shakira delivered a joint performance of the official 2026 FIFA World Cup song, “Dai Dai,” during the tournament’s first-ever halftime show at the World Cup final.
The performance took place at New York New Jersey Stadium, where FIFA introduced a Super Bowl-style entertainment spectacle to accompany the final for the first time in the competition’s history.
Joining the two global stars on stage were Uganda’s Ghetto Kids, a renowned dance troupe made up of orphaned and vulnerable children from the Katwe slums in Kampala.
The halftime show was curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin in partnership with FIFA and Global Citizen, with appearances by international music stars including Madonna, BTS and Justin Bieber.
FIFA had earlier unveiled “Dai Dai” as the official song of the 2026 World Cup, with Burna Boy and Shakira leading the musical collaboration.
According to FIFA, royalties generated from the song will be directed to the Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise 100 million dollars by the end of the tournament to expand access to quality education and football opportunities for children worldwide.
The performance attracted widespread attention online, with many fans celebrating Burna Boy’s appearance as another landmark moment for Nigerian music and the growing international influence of Afrobeats.
The issues
FIFA’s introduction of a halftime show reflects the growing convergence of sport, entertainment and philanthropy, while providing another global platform for African music and culture.
What’s being said
“Royalties from the song will support FIFA’s Global Citizen Education Fund.” — FIFA
What’s next
The Global Citizen Education Fund will continue its fundraising campaign throughout the tournament, while Burna Boy’s performance is expected to further strengthen Afrobeats’ visibility on the global stage.
Bottom line
Burna Boy’s appearance alongside Shakira at FIFA’s inaugural World Cup halftime show highlights the expanding global reach of Afrobeats while supporting an international education initiative.
