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Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar Burna Boy has reached another historic milestone on the global music scene as his FIFA World Cup collaboration with Colombian singer Shakira, Dai Dai, has officially become the highest-charting World Cup song in history.
The record-breaking achievement comes after the song surged 25 places on this week’s Billboard Hot 100, climbing to a new peak of No. 17. In doing so, Dai Dai surpassed Shakira and Freshlyground’s legendary 2010 FIFA World Cup anthem, Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), which held the record for over a decade.
The latest accomplishment further strengthens Burna Boy’s status as one of Africa’s biggest musical exports and highlights the continued rise of Afrobeats on the global stage.
Released as the official anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Dai Dai quickly became one of the tournament’s defining songs, blending Burna Boy’s signature Afro-fusion sound with Shakira’s globally recognised pop and Latin influences. The collaboration resonated with football fans and music lovers alike, earning massive streaming numbers and widespread airplay throughout the tournament.
Beyond its success in the United States, the single is also enjoying remarkable commercial performance in several international markets.
In Canada, Dai Dai climbed to No. 3 on the Canadian Hot 100, making it one of the biggest songs in the country this week. The track is also challenging for the summit of the UK Official Singles Chart, where industry observers expect it to continue its impressive run.
Music analysts have described the song’s sustained momentum as evidence of Burna Boy’s growing influence beyond Africa. His ability to seamlessly blend Afrobeats with international sounds has enabled him to consistently attract audiences across Europe, North America, South America and Asia.
For Burna Boy, the latest chart success adds another remarkable chapter to an already distinguished international career.
Over the past decade, the Port Harcourt-born singer has evolved from one of Nigeria’s brightest talents into a genuine global superstar. His catalogue of award-winning albums and sold-out international tours has helped introduce millions of listeners to Afrobeats while opening doors for other African artistes in the international music industry.
The achievement is also particularly significant because Waka Waka had long been regarded as the definitive modern World Cup anthem.
Released ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Shakira’s collaboration with South African band Freshlyground became a worldwide phenomenon, topping charts across multiple countries and remaining one of football’s most recognisable songs for over 15 years.
With Dai Dai now surpassing that record, Burna Boy and Shakira have created a new benchmark for future FIFA World Cup songs.
The success further reflects the growing commercial power of African music globally, with Nigerian artistes continuing to dominate major streaming platforms and international charts.
In another significant development for the global music industry, Billboard has officially discontinued its World Digital Song Sales chart.
The publication confirmed that the final edition of the chart was published on June 27, 2026, bringing an end to one of the industry’s key rankings for international music sales.
For years, the chart served as an important platform for measuring the commercial success of songs from regions outside the mainstream American market, including Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America.
Several Nigerian musicians made history on the chart during its existence.
Superstars including Wizkid, Mr Eazi, Rema, and other African acts recorded multiple No. 1 entries, demonstrating the increasing appetite for Nigerian music among global audiences.
Although the World Digital Song Sales chart has now been retired, industry experts believe its legacy will live on through the growing dominance of international music on global streaming platforms.
For Burna Boy, the success of Dai Dai represents more than another chart record. It reinforces the global acceptance of Afrobeats and further establishes Nigerian music as one of the world’s fastest-growing cultural exports.
With international recognition continuing to rise, the singer’s latest achievement serves as another reminder that African music is no longer emerging—it is firmly established among the biggest forces shaping today’s global music industry.
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#DaiDai
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