Watch: Elyanna and Nora Fatehi bring Arab roots to the FIFA World Cup 2026 stage in Toronto
When the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony lit up BMO Field in Toronto on 12 June, two of the loudest cheers were for artists the Arab world already knows well.
Dubai, UAE: When the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony lit up BMO Field in Toronto on 12 June, two of the loudest cheers were for artists the Arab world already knows well.
Palestinian-Chilean singer Elyanna and Moroccan-Canadian performer Nora Fatehi both took the stage ahead of Canada's opening match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, performing songs from the official FIFA World Cup 2026 album. For millions of fans across the Middle East and North Africa watching from home, it was a rare moment of genuine representation on footballʼs biggest stage.
The ceremony marked Canada's first time hosting a men's World Cup match. Among a line-up that included Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé and Alessia Cara, Elyanna and Fatehi delivered the most talked-about performances of the evening.
Elyanna: the Palestinian-Chilean voice taking Arabic pop global
Elyanna, whose full name is Elian Amer Marjieh, was born on 23 January 2002. She grew up in Nazareth, an Arab city in northern Israel and a centre of Palestinian culture. Her family has Palestinian roots and Chilean heritage through her paternal grandmother. Her mother is a poet, her grandfather a performer, and her brother Feras a musician who has co-written and produced much of her music.
She began singing at age seven. Her early influences included Umm Kulthum, Julio Iglesias and Aretha Franklin. In 2017, at age 15, her family relocated to San Diego, California. She later moved to Los Angeles to pursue her career.
In 2023, she became the first artist to perform a full set in Arabic at Coachella. She has since appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, collaborated with Coldplay on their track We Pray, performed with the band on Saturday Night Live, and opened Coldplayʼs four-night record-breaking run in Abu Dhabi in 2025.
Illuminate: Elyanna and Jessie Reyezʼs FIFA World Cup 2026 song
Illuminate is Elyanna's official FIFA World Cup 2026 song, recorded with Canadian singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez. It was released on 8 May 2026 through SALXCO UAM and Def Jam Recordings as the fourth single from the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Album.
The song was produced by Cirkut, known for producing Katy Perry's Roar and Miley Cyrus's Wrecking Ball. It blends alternative R&B, global pop and Middle Eastern-inspired sounds.
At the Toronto ceremony, Elyanna wore a flowing white Arab-inspired outfit featuring Palestinian tatreez embroidery and a keffiyeh-style cloth at her hip.
Elyanna said of the moment: "I am deeply proud to represent my culture, my country, and the Middle East, North Africa, and the Arab world on such a global stage through this song Illuminate. The tournament brings people from all over the world together to celebrate culture and humanity."
Nora Fatehi: Moroccan roots, Bollywood career, World Cup stage
Nora Fatehi was born and raised in Toronto to a Moroccan family. She built her career in India, where she became one of Bollywoodʼs most recognisable dance performers over the past decade. Her background spans Moroccan, Canadian and South Asian cultural influences, all of which she has described as central to her identity and her work.
She is not new to the FIFA stage. She previously performed Light the Sky alongside Balqees, Rahma Riad and Manal at the Qatar 2022 closing ceremony. The Toronto performance marked a return to footballʼs biggest platform, this time in the city where she grew up.
Siir Siir: the meaning behind Nora Fatehi's FIFA World Cup 2026 anthem
Siir Siir is Fatehi's official FIFA World Cup 2026 song, created with French artist Vegedream and music producer Sanjoy. The title comes from a well-known Moroccan football stadium chant meaning ʻgo, goʼ.
Fatehi has said the song began when she was attending football matches in Morocco and heard tens of thousands of fans chanting Siir Siir in the stands. She called producer Sanjoy from Morocco to propose building a World Cup anthem around that chant.
The track weaves together Moroccan Darija, Arabic, French and English. Its music video was released on 8 June 2026 and reportedly accumulated more than 20 million views in its first 24 hours.
Fatehi described the song as one of her most personal projects: "I wanted this song to feel global but still carry every part of who I am."
Why both performances matter for the Arab world
The Toronto ceremony reflected a clear direction in FIFAʼs approach to the 2026 tournament. The official album spans 18 tracks and draws on artists from across the three host nations and beyond. The inclusion of Elyanna and Fatehi places Arab and North African cultural identity at the centre of one of sportʼs most-watched global stages.
For a Gulf and Arab audience, both performances are particularly special. Elyanna has built much of her following across the Arab world and has performed extensively in the region. Fatehi's Moroccan roots and her FIFA history, including her 2022 appearance alongside Gulf artists Balqees, Rahma Riad and Manal, make her a familiar presence for audiences across the Middle East and North Africa.
