PHOTO: Burna Boy, Shakira meet ahead of World Cup final halftime show

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PHOTO: Burna Boy, Shakira meet ahead of World Cup final halftime show

Nigerian Afrobeats star, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, and Colombian pop icon, Shakira, have shared a warm moment ahead of their performance at the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show.

Burna Boy posted a video on his X handle on Friday showing the pair embracing and exchanging smiles during rehearsals for Sunday’s show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA.

The singer captioned the clip: “Sunday Prep! @shakira See you at the @FIFAWorldCup Final! Dai dai, ikó, dale, allez, let’s go!”

The video, accompanied by photos, showed the two artistes in casual attire sharing laughter and a tight hug outside production trailers at the venue.

FIFA had earlier announced that Burna Boy and Shakira would perform Dai Dai, the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, during the tournament’s first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the halftime break could be extended beyond the traditional 15 minutes to accommodate the performance, with broadcasters preparing for a break of about 30 minutes.

The break would combine standard 15 minutes of pundit analysis and an 11-minute performance segment, which Burna Boy and Shakira are expected to headline.

According to FIFA, the show will also feature co-headliners BTS, Madonna, Justin Bieber, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the PS22 Chorus with Coldplay, as well as appearances by characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets.

The halftime show is also expected to support global education initiatives for children.

Sunday’s final will see Spain face Argentina.

Shakira and Burna Boy previously performed Dai Dai at the opening ceremony of the tournament in Mexico City, where the song was officially unveiled as the 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem.

See their pictures during rehearsal below:

 

Saheed Oyelakin

Saheed is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over two years of experience covering metro, technology, sports, politics, and human-interest stories. He focuses on producing clear, engaging reports across diverse beats. Saheed’s work reflects hands-on newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate and balanced journalism.

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