Tyla Makes History as First South African to Sing National Anthem at 2026 FIFA World Cup Opening Match

South African Grammy winner Tyla became the first artist from the country to perform the national anthem before a World Cup match when she sang at Estadio Azteca on 11 June 2026. The performance preceded South Africa’s opening game against Mexico, the first match of the 48‑team tournament that is being hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Tyla’s rendition of “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika” was part of a larger opening ceremony that also featured American rapper Future, Mexican superstar Shakira, Nigerian artist Rema, Brazilian singer Anitta and others. The ceremony was staged in Mexico City and later repeated in Los Angeles, making Tyla one of only a handful of performers to appear in more than one host nation’s opening show.

The South African singer, who won a Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance in 2023, has been a prominent figure in the global music scene since her 2023 single “Water” entered the US Billboard Hot 100. She signed with Epic Records in 2021 and released a self‑titled album in 2024 that received critical acclaim. Her upcoming second studio album, APop, is scheduled for release in July 2026.

The opening ceremonies also highlighted other official World Cup songs. Future and Tyla performed the anthem “Game Time,” while Shakira and Burna Boy introduced “Dai Dai,” the official song of the 2026 tournament. Katy Perry headlined the Los Angeles show, debuting her track “Wonder” alongside 10‑year‑old Norwegian singer Tius. In Toronto, Canadian acts such as Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, Alessia Cara and Jessie Reyez took the stage.

Bafana Bafana’s return to the World Cup after a 16‑year absence added a layer of national pride to Tyla’s performance. South Africa lost to Mexico 1‑0 and drew 1‑1 with the Czech Republic, leaving the team in contention for a place in the knockout stages. The next match will be against South Korea on 26 June.

The 2026 World Cup is the first edition to feature 48 teams and to be hosted by three countries. Mexico, the United States and Canada automatically qualified as hosts, while teams such as Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan made their debuts. The opening matches were held at Estadio Azteca (Mexico City), SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles) and BMO Field (Toronto).

The tournament’s opening ceremonies were designed to showcase a global mix of music and culture. In addition to the performers mentioned above, the Mexican show included J Balvin, Maná, Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules and Danny Ocean. The Los Angeles show also featured BLACKPINK’s Lisa, and the Canadian show included DJ Sanjoy and other local talent.

The performances were broadcast worldwide and reached millions of viewers. They were part of FIFA’s broader strategy to integrate music, entertainment and sport, a trend that has continued since the 2018 World Cup.

As the tournament progresses, the focus will shift to the matches themselves. South Africa’s next game against South Korea will determine whether the team can advance to the knockout stage. Meanwhile, the opening ceremonies have already provided memorable moments that will be remembered alongside the on‑field action.

The current situation is that Tyla’s historic anthem performance remains a highlight of the opening day, and the World Cup continues with its scheduled matches through July 19. No further announcements have been made regarding additional performances or changes to the tournament schedule.