Jun 13, 2026 6:00pm IST
Nora Fatehi on Opening the FIFA World Cup in Toronto: ‘It’s a full circle moment for me’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Nora Fatehi brought her world-class moves back to where it all began—Toronto. The Canadian-born artist of Moroccan descent took the stage at Canada’s FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony on Friday, for a high-octane performance ahead of the Canada vs Bosnia match at Toronto Stadium, marking a milestone in her career.
Following a stirring kickoff performance by Alessia Cara, the “Saki Saki” star stepped onto the stage in a striking red outfit. Joining forces with Los Angeles-based artist Sanjoy, who brought his signature EDM-B energy, and Veggie Dream’s hip-hop beats, Fatehi delivered a memorable show.
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Speaking exclusively to Variety India just moments before taking the stage, a thrilled Fatehi shared her excitement about the official FIFA song, “Siir Siir.” “To describe my song in three words, I definitely say energetic, celebratory, iconic.”
When asked about the track's collaboration and what she brought to the table to tie Sanjoy and Veggie Dream's distinct sounds together, Fatehi didn't hesitate: “The secret ingredient I would say is I brought in the soul and the intention.”
This isn't Fatehi’s first time performing for such a large audience - she previously captivated global football fans at the Qatar World Cup closing ceremony in 2022. However, headlining the opening ceremony in her hometown represents a deeply emotional milestone. “It's definitely a full circle moment for me. I was born in Toronto and I'm back to open at the World Cup. It's insane. This is such a surreal moment and I just want people to take this as a form of inspiration for them to dream big too.”
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While Fatehi loves her hometown, her sporting allegiances remain fiercely tied to her heritage. When pressed on who she would root for if Canada and Morocco ever faced off on the pitch, her loyalty was absolute. “If Morocco and Canada had to play each other, I would still root for Morocco. I'm a massive fan. I'm supporting their graph, their journey. They were the underdogs in 2022, and they shocked the world and won so many hearts. I'm just such a fan of their journey.”
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