Colombian music star Shakira has shared a behind-the-scenes story about her collaboration with Nigerian Grammy winner Burna Boy on the 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem during a recent appearance on the Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill, revealing that she waited nearly three weeks before receiving his contribution to the song.

Speaking about how the collaboration came together, the singer explained that Burna Boy sent his verse 20 days after agreeing to be part of the project. Despite the delay, she said she remained confident that he would deliver because she was determined to have him on the record.

Photo: Instagram

“I called him and I was like, ‘Hey, are you down to do this?’ And he was like, ‘Yeah, why not?’… I was like waiting for 20 days for him to send something and I’m like, ‘Okay, maybe he’s not gonna do it.’ But then he sent his magic and it was just absolutely perfect,” Shakira said.

Shakira also explained why she specifically reached out to the African Giant hitmaker. According to her, she had been a fan of his music for years and wanted a distinctive male voice that could match the energy and global appeal of the World Cup.

Photo: Instagram/@shakira

“And I’ve always loved Burna, like I always wanted to do something with him,” Shakira said. She praised his unique vocal style, adding, “I think his voice is just, it works so well on this song, so well. I couldn’t imagine anybody else on it, actually.”

The collaboration resulted in “Dai Dai,” the official song released for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The track brought together two internationally recognised artists, pairing Shakira’s long-running connection with FIFA World Cup music with Burna Boy’s contribution to the tournament’s latest anthem.

Photo: Instagram

The 2026 project also added another chapter to Shakira’s history with the FIFA World Cup. She performed “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)”, the official song of the 2010 tournament in South Africa, before releasing “La La La” for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Her collaboration with Burna Boy on “Dai Dai” continued that association, this time alongside one of Africa’s biggest music stars.

Looking back on the collaboration, Shakira said Burna Boy’s contribution justified the wait. Although she admitted she briefly wondered whether he would eventually send his verse, she said the finished record confirmed why she had wanted him on the song from the beginning, describing his contribution as “absolutely perfect”.

American rapper Cardi B has shared comments that many social media users believe were aimed at the recent controversy involving Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and the mother of his child, Jelicia Westhoff. While the rapper did not mention either person by name, her remarks came as online conversations around the situation continued to gain attention.

In a video circulated across social media, Cardi B addressed the public scrutiny surrounding her personal life, saying she has been dealing with false stories about the people she dates since she was 20 years old. She also said, “I slipped up, went back to some bullshit, left right away… And guess what? Ever since then, I’ve been living my life”, she added “One thing about it, two things for sure, I’m telling y’all this since I was 20. As long as your man got an ex, this is going to happen… She was obsessed with me. She was calling my house phone… She even came to my job”. prompting many social media users to speculate that the remarks were linked to the controversy involving Okoye.

Photo: Facebook

The speculation follows recent public appearances involving Cardi B and the Nigerian footballer. The pair were first seen together during Paris Fashion Week before later being photographed at a group dinner in Venice, Italy. Their outings prompted dating rumours, although neither Cardi B nor Okoye has confirmed that they are in a relationship.

Photo: Facebook

The conversation took another turn after Jelicia Westhoff, who shares a son with Okoye, made a series of allegations against the Udinese goalkeeper on social media. She accused him of infidelity, domestic abuse, neglecting their child and failing to provide adequate support. The allegations have not been independently verified, and Okoye has not publicly responded to them.

Westhoff later clarified that her criticism was directed at Okoye rather than Cardi B. In follow-up posts, she indicated that her concern was centred on her son’s welfare and her experiences with the footballer, not the Grammy-winning rapper.

As conversations about the situation continued online, Cardi B’s latest comments drew widespread attention across social media, with many users linking them to the unfolding situation. Others, however, pointed out that the rapper spoke generally about dealing with rumours and public speculation without identifying anyone or confirming that her remarks were connected to Okoye or Westhoff.

Photo: Instagram

The controversy has also been accompanied by misinformation online. A viral image claiming to show Cardi B kissing Okoye during Paris Fashion Week was later debunked, with reports confirming that the photo had been digitally manipulated.

For now, there is no official confirmation that Cardi B’s comments were intended as a response to the allegations involving Okoye and Westhoff. Her remarks have added another layer to a story that continues to generate discussion across social media, even as key questions surrounding the situation remain unanswered.

American rapper and reality television personality Tommie Lee was arrested during the 2026 FIFA World Cup after authorities said she allegedly entered Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, through an unauthorized entrance without a valid ticket.

The incident occurred on July 11, during the quarterfinal match between England and Norway, one of the tournament’s most anticipated knockout fixtures. According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, Lee, whose real name is Atasha Chizaah Jefferson, allegedly bypassed security measures and made her way into the stadium before being stopped by deputies in the 100-level seating section.

Authorities charged the rapper with interference with a sporting or entertainment event, a third-degree felony under Florida law. Investigators said she entered the venue without proper authorization, prompting law enforcement officers on site to take her into custody.

Photo: Instagram

The arrest quickly drew attention on social media after news of the incident emerged. However, officials described it as an isolated security matter and said it did not disrupt the match or affect the overall safety of fans attending the game.

Lee was one of six people arrested during the England versus Norway fixture. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office also confirmed that 19 spectators were ejected from the stadium for separate incidents, while tournament operations continued without interruption.

Court records indicate that Lee was later released after posting a $1,000 bond. She has since pleaded not guilty to the charge. As with any criminal case, the allegations remain before the court, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Photo: Instagram

Tommie Lee rose to prominence through her appearances on Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta before launching a music career and later featuring on other reality television projects. Over the years, she has remained a regular subject of entertainment headlines, often attracting public attention.

The arrest comes as the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues to draw massive crowds across host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Tournament organizers have maintained heightened security at all venues, with thousands of spectators passing through extensive screening procedures before every match.

As the case moves through the Florida court system, the incident has also highlighted the strict security measures in place at World Cup venues, where unauthorized entry is treated as a serious offence regardless of a person’s public profile.