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Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Burna Boy has revealed that British pop star Ed Sheeran played a key role in preparing him for the pressure of performing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Speaking during an interview with Capital FM, Burna Boy said Sheeran was the first person to contact him about collaborating with Shakira on the tournament’s official anthem, “Dai Dai,” and also warned him about the demands of performing on football’s biggest stage.
According to Burna Boy, Sheeran knew how overwhelming such a global event could be and gave him an early heads-up to mentally prepare for the intense pressure. The Afrofusion star praised the British singer as one of the most thoughtful people he has worked with, adding that their friendship extends beyond music. Burna Boy also recalled agreeing to the collaboration immediately because he had always wanted to work with Shakira.
The collaboration culminated in Burna Boy and Shakira performing the official World Cup anthem at the tournament’s opening ceremony before reuniting for the inaugural FIFA World Cup final halftime show. Burna Boy said Sheeran’s advice helped him navigate the experience, while Shakira previously revealed that she specifically wanted Burna Boy’s powerful voice to complement the song’s Afrobeats-inspired sound.
