Football and music aren’t natural bedfellows — at least not on paper. Yet over the past decade or so, the line between the two has blurred in ways few would have predicted. Nigerian artists, in particular, have found themselves headlining moments watched by hundreds of millions, proof that the sound coming out of Lagos has outgrown any single industry. From World Cup stages to the red carpet of the Ballon d’Or to virtual appearances in EA Sports titles, Nigerian musicians keep turning up where the world’s biggest football moments happen.
Below is a rundown of some of those standout appearances.
Burna Boy — Opening Ceremony, 2026 FIFA World Cup
Burna Boy made World Cup history by sharing the stage with Shakira at the tournament’s opening ceremony in Mexico City, delivering “Dai Dai,” the competition’s official anthem. The pair were backed by Uganda’s Ghetto Kids, who’ve also featured alongside Shakira on other stages.
Burna Boy — Final Halftime Show, 2026 FIFA World Cup
Weeks later, Burna Boy was back for the World Cup’s first-ever final halftime show, again teaming up with Shakira and Ghetto Kids for “Dai Dai” — this time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The repeat appearance made him the sole Nigerian act to grace both the opening and closing stages of a single World Cup.
Rema — Ballon d’Or Ceremony, 2023
Rema brought “Calm Down” to the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, performing in front of the sport’s elite at football’s most storied individual awards night. It was a landmark for Afrobeats — Rema became the genre’s first act to grace the Ballon d’Or stage.
Burna Boy — UEFA Champions League Final Kick-Off Show, 2023
Afrobeats reached European club football’s biggest stage when Burna Boy co-headlined the Champions League Final’s pre-match show with Brazilian singer Anitta. The performance took place at Istanbul’s Atatürk Olympic Stadium ahead of Manchester City’s title-clinching win over Inter Milan.
Davido — Closing Ceremony, 2022 FIFA World Cup
Davido closed out the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, performing “(Hayya Hayya) Better Together” alongside Aisha before the Argentina–France final at Lusail Stadium. The track was part of the tournament’s official soundtrack, and the performance reached a worldwide TV audience.
Tems — FIFA Club World Cup Final Halftime Show, 2025
Tems broke new ground as the first African artist to perform at a FIFA Club World Cup Final halftime show, joining J Balvin and Doja Cat at MetLife Stadium for the competition’s inaugural halftime performance. She brought her Grammy-winning track “Love Me JeJe” to the moment, part of a wider push by FIFA and Global Citizen to spotlight the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
Yemi Alade — AFCON Opening Ceremony, 2024
When the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations kicked off in January 2024 in Abidjan, Yemi Alade was on stage performing “Akwaba,” the tournament’s official song, alongside Ivorian outfit Magic System and Egyptian singer Mohamed Ramadan. The ceremony played out in front of a packed Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium, capacity 60,000.
D’banj — AFCON Closing Ceremony, 2013
D’banj closed out the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in Johannesburg with a high-energy set that included “Oliver Twist” and tournament theme song “Top of the World.” The timing was fitting — Nigeria had just claimed the title, beating Burkina Faso in the final.
