How Nigerian Artists Have Performed on Football’s Biggest Stages In Recent Times

In hindsight, music doesn’t essentially have a relationship with football. And perhaps if it does, as a global sport, it can be somewhat difficult to find Nigerian music there in modern times. But music is a universal language; it has crept into several industries in the world. Nigerian music, like Nigeria itself, doesn’t carry last. Nigerian artists in recent times have performed on football’s biggest stages in the world. From World Cup Finals to the Ballon d’Or to being included in EA Sports games, Nigerian artists have continued to show the world the immense pool of talent emerging out of the country.

Here’s a brief highlight of some Nigerian artists who have performed on football’s biggest stages:

Burna Boy — 2026 FIFA World Cup Opening Show

In the history of the World Cup, Burna Boy took up a nudge. He joined Shakira at the opening ceremony in Mexico City, where they performed “Dai Dai,” the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They were both joined by the Ugandan Ghetto kids who went to perform with Shakira on other stages.

Burna Boy — 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show

More than a month after the opening show, Burna Boy and Shakira reunited at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for the World Cup’s first-ever World Cup Final halftime show, again performing “Dai Dai.” In doing so, Burna Boy became the only Nigerian artist on this list to perform at both the opening and final stages of the same World Cup.

Rema — 2023 Ballon d’Or

Rema performed “Calm Down” at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris in October 2023, performing…