May 09, 2026 1:47pm IST
Global Beats, South Asian Roots: LISA, Nora Fatehi, Tyla and Sanjoy To Perform At FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremonies
The countdown to the world's biggest sporting spectacle has officially entered a new rhythm. FIFA has unveiled a historic lineup for the 2026 World Cup opening ceremonies. For South Asian fans, the latest update is nothing short of monumental. In a massive nod to the region's burgeoning cultural influence, global icons LISA, Nora Fatehi, and Bangladeshi-American DJ Sanjoy have been confirmed to lead the charge across three host countries: Canada, the US and Mexico.
For these three artists, the stage represents more than just a performance — it is a coronation. LISA, the Thai-born superstar of K-Pop superstar girl group BLACKPINK, who has become a global fashion and music juggernaut, will join the U.S. festivities. Bollywood’s dancing queen Nora Fatehi will bring her moves to Toronto, Canada. The Los Angeles-based Sanjoy is set to bring his signature energy to the event as well.
Reflecting on the magnitude of the moment, Sanjoy exclusively shares his feelings about the announcement with Variety India. "It's hard to articulate what I'm feeling right now. I'm overtaken by emotion and filled with so much gratitude for my family, team, collaborators; everyone who has supported my music and made this moment possible. I really hope this makes South Asians around the world proud. To see our voice represented on one of the biggest stages means the world to me. An immigrant kid taking his sound from his bedroom to the world’s biggest stage. This is bigger than me; it represents every kid who grew up between worlds and believed their voice could travel farther than they ever imagined. I'm just getting chills saying this and I hope everyone loves what we have in store.
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The Global Lineup
For the first time in history, FIFA will host three distinct opening ceremonies to celebrate the co-hosting nations of Mexico, Canada, and the United States. This unprecedented approach ensures each host territory gets its own moment in the spotlight, starting with the grand kick-off in Mexico City on June 11. The party begins 90 minutes before the opening match between Mexico and South Africa at the iconic Mexico City Stadium. This show will feature a powerhouse of Latin American talent, including Colombian megastar J Balvin, the multi-Grammy-winning Mexican rock band Maná and pop star Alejandro Fernández, who continues the legacy of his father, Vicente Fernández. The show will also include South African singer songwriter Tyla, who performed in India recently (and has part Indian ancestry).
The celebration then moves north to Toronto on June 12, just before Canada faces Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Canadian ceremony boasts a deeply diverse lineup that includes Nora Fatehi alongside a roster of homegrown legends and international voices. Fans can expect performances from Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, Alessia Cara, Elyanna, and Jessie Reyez. This gathering of talent is designed to reflect the country’s multicultural fabric, blending various genres and cultural influences into a single cohesive celebration.
Later that same day, the spotlight shifts to Los Angeles for the United States’ opening match against Paraguay. This ceremony marks another massive sports crossover for pop megastar Katy Perry, who famously headlined the Super Bowl halftime show in 2015. She will lead an all-star lineup that includes the rapper Future, LISA of BLACKPINK, and Brazilian sensation Anitta. Having set the stage on fire in Mexico the previous days, Tyla will once again be seen performing here.
Adding to the global flavor are Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Rema (of ‘Calm Down’ fame) and Bangladeshi-American Sanjoy, who is a Los Angeles-based DJ (best known for “Qatal” with Guru Randhawa and most recently “Sajan Re” with Badshah).
According to FIFA, this Los Angeles celebration will be a truly international ensemble, highlighting the "cultural power" of the host nation while leaving room for even more world-renowned artists to be announced in the coming weeks.
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