African Giant Meets Global Icon: Burna Boy Links Up With Shakira For World Cup Finale

Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy and Colombian music sensation Shakira have reunited ahead of the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup final halftime show, offering fans a sneak peek into their preparations for the historic performance.

According to reports, Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ogulu, shared a video on his account on Friday, July 17, showing the two global entertainers sharing a warm embrace, laughing and exchanging smiles during rehearsals at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the venue for Sunday’s World Cup final clash between Spain and Argentina.

The Nigerian singer captioned the post, “Sunday Prep! @shakira See you at the @FIFAWorldCup Final! Dai dai, ikó, dale, allez, let’s go!” as excitement continues to build ahead of the landmark event.

The video, accompanied by several photos, showed Burna Boy and Shakira in relaxed outfits enjoying a friendly moment outside the production trailers while final preparations for the halftime spectacle continued.

According to Ireporter Online, FIFA had earlier announced that Burna Boy and Shakira would headline the first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show at a World Cup final, performing “Dai Dai,” the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The groundbreaking performance will introduce a major change to the traditional World Cup final format, with the usual 15-minute halftime break reportedly extended to approximately 30 minutes to accommodate the entertainment showcase alongside regular match analysis.

FIFA revealed that the star-studded lineup will also feature global acts including BTS, Madonna, Justin Bieber, renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the PS22 Chorus alongside Coldplay, as well as appearances from popular characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets. The event is also expected to highlight initiatives aimed at advancing global education for children.

Burna Boy and Shakira have previously shared the World Cup stage, having performed “Dai Dai” during the opening ceremony in Mexico City, where the song was unveiled as the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Their latest reunion has further heightened anticipation among football and music fans worldwide, as millions prepare to witness the historic halftime performance during the tournament’s grand finale.