The 2026 World Cup was the biggest stage African music has ever had. Burna Boy sang the official anthem, Tyla and Rema performed at the opening ceremony, and Uganda’s Ghetto Kids danced at the final. Here is how African musicians took over the 2026 World Cup, and the long relationship between African music and football behind it.
Burna Boy sang the official World Cup anthem
On 11 June 2026 Burna Boy and Shakira performed “Dai Dai”, the official 2026 World Cup anthem, at the opening ceremony at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Ed Sheeran co-wrote the song with the producer Alexander Castillo. Shakira said she waited about 20 days for Burna Boy’s verse.
“Dai Dai” went to number one around the world
“Dai Dai” reached number one in more than thirty countries. By early August, Burna Boy had more than 57.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify, more than Madonna or Adele.
Tyla sang twice on day two
On 12 June, at the opening ceremony in the United States, Tyla performed “Game Time” with Future. She then sang the South African national anthem before South Africa played Mexico.
Rema shared a stage with Lisa and Anitta
At the same ceremony, Rema performed “Goals” with Lisa of Blackpink and Brazil’s Anitta.
The final’s halftime show
On 19 July, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Burna Boy and Shakira performed “Dai Dai” again at the first World Cup final halftime show. Uganda’s Ghetto Kids dance troupe joined them. The show was curated by Chris Martin and also featured Madonna and Justin Bieber.
Ed Sheeran warned him
Burna Boy later said Sheeran had been the first to approach him about the song and had warned him about the pressure of performing at the final.
It was not the first time
Four years earlier, Davido sang “Hayya Hayya (Better Together)” with Trinidad Cardona and Aisha on the official soundtrack of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Rema and Burna Boy at the Ballon d’Or
Football’s other big night has also turned to Africa. Rema performed at the Ballon d’Or in Paris in 2023. In October 2026 Burna Boy became the first Nigerian artist to present an award there, handing the Sócrates Award to Bukayo Saka in London.
Rema’s songs were in FIFA 21
Rema’s songs were included on the soundtrack of the video game FIFA 21 in 2020.
Musicians who are football fans
Burna Boy supports Manchester United and calls Jay-Jay Okocha the greatest footballer of all time. In 2025 Tems became the first African woman to own part of a Major League Soccer team when she joined the ownership group of San Diego FC.
Where to start
“Dai Dai”, “Game Time” and “Goals” are the African songs of the 2026 World Cup.
