Afrobeat Super Star Davido / HANDOUTAfrica's biggest music stars are set to take centre stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Davido among the headline performers announced for the tournament's countdown and opening celebrations.
Davido, whose real name is David Adedeji Adeleke, has been selected to headline the official FIFA World Cup Countdown Concert scheduled for June 10 in Los Angeles, United States, marking the final countdown to the start of the global football spectacle.
The award-winning singer will perform at the Crypto.com Arena alongside electronic music group Major Lazer, led by American DJ Diplo, in what FIFA has described as a celebration of football, music and culture.
Announcing the event on June 2, FIFA said the concert featuring Davido would be "a high-energy celebration and an unforgettable night of music, football and culture."
The announcement further cements Davido's status as one of Africa's most influential global music exports, with the singer joining a growing list of African artists set to feature prominently during the tournament.
South African Grammy Award-winning star Tyla has also been lined up for performances during the World Cup festivities.
She is expected to perform in Mexico City on June 11 before joining fellow African music sensation Rema at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles the following day for the tournament's opening match in the United States.
The strong African representation will extend beyond music, with Uganda's internationally acclaimed dance troupe, the Ghetto Kids, earning a coveted invitation to perform alongside Colombian superstar Shakira during one of the World Cup events.
The troupe described the opportunity as a life-changing moment for the group and the vulnerable children whose stories they represent.
Founded in 2014 by Dauda Kavuma, the Ghetto Kids use dance and performing arts to support orphaned and disadvantaged children in Kampala. Over the years, the group has grown from a community-based initiative into one of Africa's most recognisable youth performance acts, attracting millions of followers worldwide.
Speaking about the invitation, Kavuma said the performance would inspire countless young people facing difficult circumstances.
"This one is very different. It's a huge opportunity for the Ghetto Kids, for me, and for the children. Those who have no hope will still have hope," he said.
One of the troupe's dancers, Josephine Busingye, said members were eagerly looking forward to sharing the stage with Shakira during one of the world's most-watched sporting events.
"I feel so excited. We can't wait to perform with Shakira, and we can't wait to show the world what we are," she said.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is expected to be the biggest edition of the tournament in history, featuring 48 teams and attracting billions of viewers globally.
The inclusion of African stars in key entertainment events surrounding the tournament reflects the growing global influence of the continent's music and creative industries, with Afrobeats and African dance culture continuing to gain international recognition.
