Burna Boy, Rema And Tyla performed at the World Cup.
For the first time in World Cup history, there wasn’t just one opening ceremony — there were three . Across Mexico City, Los Angeles, and Toronto, the 2026 tournament kicked off with a trilogy of celebrations that showcased the global diversity of music and culture.
And at the center of it all? African artists
Burna Boy in Mexico City
On June 11, the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City hosted the first opening ceremony . The highlight was Shakira and Burna Boy performing “Dai Dai,” the official 2026 World Cup song . The Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar shared the stage with the Colombian icon in a performance that set the tone for the entire tournament .
Burna Boy was also part of a star-studded lineup that included Alejandro Fernández, J Balvin, Lila Downs, and Maná . The ceremony featured over 500 dancers in costumes inspired by flamingos and jaguars, a tribute to the host nation’s culture, alongside a symbolic honoring of football legends Diego Maradona and Pelé .
Tyla Sings for South Africa
Before Mexico faced South Africa in the opening match, Grammy-winning South African artist Tyla delivered a stunning rendition of her country’s national anthem . The 24-year-old “Water” singer performed at the historic Estadio Azteca , and her emotional performance quickly caught the internet’s attention. She later appeared at the match alongside Mexican artist Becky G . Tyla also performed at the Los Angeles ceremony and has other international performances scheduled for 2026.
Read Also: The Hate Watch: Why Africa Cheered Mexico’s 2-0 Win Over South Africa
Rema Lights Up Los Angeles
The following day, Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema delivered a standout moment at the SoFi Stadium ceremony in Los Angeles . He joined Brazilian pop star Anitta and BLACKPINK’s Lisa for the live debut of their collaborative World Cup track, “Goals” . Sharing the stage with Katy Perry, Future, BLACKPINK’s Lisa, and South African singer Tyla, Rema proved that Afrobeats has become a global cultural language . In a striking white hooded outfit, he commanded the Hollywood-style ceremony, performing the upbeat track that had already become a fan favorite .
Afrobeats Runs the Globe
The 2026 World Cup marks a milestone for African music, with Afrobeats now firmly embedded in major international events . Burna Boy and Rema joined legendary Afrobeat pioneer Femi Kuti as the only Nigerians known to have performed at a World Cup opening ceremony . Nigerian superstar Davido also made his presence felt during the festivities, wearing a jacket bearing the names of victims of a recent tragedy in Oyo State on the global stage . Meanwhile, five African artists—Burna Boy, Davido, Rema, Ayra Starr, and Tyla—are featured on the official World Cup album.
The AfricanaWeb Perspective
What African artists achieved at this World Cup goes beyond music. It’s about visibility and ownership on the world’s biggest platform. FIFA needed African artists to anchor their tournament soundtrack. As one industry figure put it, there was a time when African artists were fighting for recognition outside their home markets. Today, they are helping define the soundtrack of global culture and with performances from Burna Boy, Rema and Tyla at the World Cup 2026, Africa was really represented on the biggest stage.
This is not luck. This is a continent whose culture the world can no longer ignore.
