Five Nigerians Who Have Performed on the FIFA World Cup Stage

• Nigerian music has grown from a regional sound into a global cultural force, with Afrobeats’ biggest stars now performing on some of the world’s most recognized stages.

• Over the years, the FIFA World Cup has provided Nigerian artists with a platform to showcase the country’s culture, creativity and musical heritage to audiences around the world.

• From Femi Kuti and 2Baba’s appearances at the historic 2010 tournament to Burna Boy’s landmark performances in 2026, these moments reflect Nigeria’s evolving influence in global entertainment.

• This article revisits five Nigerian artists who have performed at football’s biggest event and the moments that made their appearances memorable.

July 21, () — The FIFA World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, but its impact extends far beyond football. Held every four years, the tournament brings together sport, music and entertainment, creating moments that remain part of popular culture long after the final whistle.

Beyond the action on the pitch, the opening and closing ceremonies have become major highlights of the tournament, giving artists the opportunity to perform before a worldwide audience.

For Nigerian musicians, these appearances have reflected the country’s expanding influence in the international music scene.

This article looks at five Nigerian artists whose World Cup performances became significant moments, showcasing the journey of Nigerian music from Afrobeat pioneers to today’s Afrobeats superstars.

1. Femi Kuti (2010 FIFA World Cup)

Afrobeat legend and multi-Grammy nominee Femi Kuti was among the first Nigerian artists to perform at an official FIFA World Cup ceremony.

He took the stage during the opening ceremony of the 2010 tournament in Johannesburg, South Africa, ahead of the opening match between hosts South Africa and Mexico.

The performance marked the first time the World Cup was hosted on African soil, making the ceremony a celebration of the continent’s culture and creativity.

Femi Kuti shared the stage with celebrated South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela and other performers, delivering an energetic Afrobeat performance that introduced the genre to viewers around the world.

2. 2Baba (2010 FIFA World Cup)

Nigeria’s representation at the 2010 FIFA World Cup continued during the closing celebrations, where 2Baba joined a collection of African artists for a special performance in Johannesburg.

The singer was part of the African All-Stars, a supergroup that featured American R&B star Kelly Rowland alongside musicians from across the continent, including Ghana’s Samini, Uganda’s Jose Chameleone, and South African acts such as Jozi, Kwesta, Slikour and Zuluboy.

Together, they performed “Everywhere You Go,” the official MTN 2010 FIFA World Cup theme song.

The ceremony also featured performances from international stars including Shakira, who performed “Waka Waka” with Freshlyground, and South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

2Baba’s appearance further highlighted Nigeria’s growing presence in African music and its ability to connect with audiences beyond the country’s borders.

3. Davido (2022 FIFA World Cup)

Davido became part of FIFA World Cup history in 2022 after featuring on “Hayya Hayya (Better Together),” the first official song released for the Qatar tournament.

The track, which also featured Trinidad Cardona and Aisha, became one of the most recognizable songs associated with the competition and reflected the rising popularity of Afrobeats worldwide.

He later performed the song during the closing ceremony at Lusail Stadium before the final between Argentina and France, marking one of the biggest moments for Nigerian music at the tournament.

4. Burna Boy (2026 FIFA World Cup)

Burna Boy took Nigeria’s presence at the FIFA World Cup to new heights in 2026.

The Grammy-winning singer joined Colombian superstar Shakira to perform “Dai Dai,” the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, during the tournament’s opening ceremony in Mexico City, blending Afrobeats with Latin influences as the competition began.

He later returned for FIFA’s first-ever World Cup Final Halftime Show in New Jersey, becoming one of the headline performers at a landmark entertainment event.

5. Rema (2026 FIFA World Cup)

Rema represented a new generation of Nigerian artists during the 2026 FIFA World Cup celebrations.

The Afrobeats star was featured on “Goals,” one of the official songs from the tournament’s soundtrack, alongside global stars LISA and Anitta.

He later performed the track during the official opening celebrations at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, joining an international lineup that showcased some of the biggest names in music.

His appearance reflected the continued global expansion of Afrobeats and the growing presence of Nigerian artists at major international events.

By bringing his sound to football’s biggest stage, Rema became part of a new chapter in Nigeria’s World Cup music legacy, following the path of artists who had previously introduced the country’s music to audiences around the world.