‘How Ed Sheeran helped me land World Cup Song’ — Burna Boy

Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Burna Boy shared that British pop star Ed Sheeran was instrumental in his collaboration with Shakira on the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, "Dai Dai."

Burna Boy explained in a recent interview with Capital FM that Sheeran was the first to approach him about the project. "He hit me up and said we should do a World Cup song with Shakira and I said I’ll love to work with Shakira, let’s do it," Burna Boy recounted.

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He’s actually the first to call me about this because he’s the one who had my number. He hit me up and said we should do a World Cup song with Shakira and I said I’ll love to work with Shakira, let’s do it.

He also disclosed that Sheeran prepared him for the immense pressure of performing at the World Cup final. "He had to give me a heads-up like, ‘Yo, you’re going to have to perform at the finals and all of that.’ He knows me… he knows how I get down," Burna Boy said, adding that Sheeran warned him about the stress involved.

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He had to give me a heads-up like, ‘Yo, you’re going to have to perform at the finals and all of that.’ He knows me… he knows how I get down.

Describing Sheeran as one of the most thoughtful individuals he has collaborated with, Burna Boy lauded his personality and professionalism. "He’s just a very sensible and lovable guy. He is someone I have taken to personally from the beginning. Ed is very smart, man. He always knows what he is doing," he stated.

Sheeran is credited as a songwriter on "Dai Dai." Shakira had previously mentioned waiting 20 days for Burna Boy's verse, emphasizing her determination to feature the Nigerian superstar. She described his contribution as the "cherry on top," believing his vocals elevated the song significantly. The anthem aims to celebrate resilience, unity, and inner strength on one of football's largest stages.

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He’s just a very sensible and lovable guy. He is someone I have taken to personally from the beginning. Ed is very smart, man. He always knows what he is doing.