Akon to direct World Cup music

Akon is to record the official anthem for next year's soccer World Cup.

The rapper has been asked by FIFA to co-ordinate the song as well as music for the opening ceremony at the South African tournament, which starts next June.

He said: "I've been hired as musical director for the World Cup. I will be overseeing the World Cup anthem and music at the ceremonies and I'm off to South Africa this week for meetings.

"I love soccer so it's a great honour."

However, Akon – who says he will be supporting the host nation in the world's biggest soccer event – won't be following in the footsteps of other artists to record soccer songs by asking players to sing.

Talking about England star David Beckham, he said: "I know David, he's my man. But I'm not asking for his advice. Footballers should stick to football."

In 1990, New Order recorded the official England song World in Motion, which featured Liverpool star John Barnes rapping while other players, including Paul Gascoigne and Peter Beardsley, sang on the chorus.

The official song for the 2006 tournament in Germany was Celebrate the Day by German actor Herbert Groenemeyer.

Akon is the son of famed Senegalese percussionist Mor Thiam. The rapper split his time between America and Senegal until he moved to the US aged 15.