24-year-old Palestinian-Chilean singer Elyanna
Palestinian singer Elyanna joins 2026 World Cup soundtrack
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Elyanna to perform at Toronto opening ceremony
- “Illuminate” is part of official World Cup album rollout
- Highlights growing MENA presence in FIFA music lineup
The music program for the FIFA World Cup 2026 has expanded its cross-border footprint with the release of Illuminate, a landmark collaboration between 24-year-old Palestinian-Chilean singer Elyanna and Canadian singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez.
The track serves as the fourth single from the highly anticipated Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album, though tournament organizers have yet to announce a formal release date for the full compilation.
It follows previously unveiled tournament tracks, including Lighter by Jelly Roll and Carin Leon, Por Ella by Los Angeles Azules and Belinda, and Echo by Daddy Yankee and Shenseea.
Toronto debut
The rollout of the single arrives in tandem with major performance announcements.
Elyanna and Reyez have been named among the primary performers for the opening ceremony at Toronto’s BMO Field on June 12.
The high-profile ceremony will set the stage just before co-host Canada plays its historic first match of the tournament.
The musical lineup for the Toronto matchday also features prominent global stars Alanis Morissette, Michael Buble, and Alessia Cara.
Cross-border production
The track was produced by acclaimed Canadian hitmaker Cirkut, recognized for his production work on pop hits like Katy Perry’s Roar and Miley Cyrus’s Wrecking Ball.
Illuminate aligns with a long-standing FIFA tradition of crafting broad-appeal pop anthems built around cross-cultural fusion and connection to the tournament's host territories.
For the 2026 iteration, the sonic landscape has widened significantly as the tournament is staged across three co-host nations: the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The song features deep personal roots for Elyanna, having been co-written alongside regular artistic partners including her mother, Abeer Sbiat Marjieh, her brother, Feras Margieh, and the Lebanese-Canadian artist and producer Massari.
Structuring the visual side of the release, the accompanying music video utilizes historical montages of legendary World Cup moments, incorporating archival footage of football icons Diego Maradona and Ronaldo.
“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.” - Elyanna, in an official statement regarding the release.
Rising presence of Arab artists
The inclusion of Illuminate highlights a major decade-long surge of Arab and North African performers occupying center stage within FIFA's official entertainment programming.
During the Qatar 2022 World Cup, Qatari singer Aisha collaborated on Hayya Hayya (Better Together), while Balqees, Rahma Riad, Manal, and Nora Fatehi spearheaded Light The Sky.
That same tournament saw Lebanese star Myriam Fares feature on Tukoh Taka alongside Nicki Minaj and Maluma, while Egyptian rapper Wegz released Ezz Al Arab for the Doha closing ceremony.
This legacy stretches back to Nancy Ajram's Arabic rendition of Wavin' Flag in 2010 and Mohammed Assaf's performance of Assaf360 at the 2014 FIFA Congress in Sao Paulo.
Looking even further ahead, Saudi Arabia has already begun integrating football music ahead of its plans to host the World Cup in 2034.
Saudi artists Ayed Yousef, Fahad Bin Fasla, and Ghada Sheri published the promotional track Yalla Yalla – Welcome to Saudi 34 this past December.
More anthems on horizon
The current eclectic approach to the 2026 soundtrack is heavily guided by Moroccan-Swedish producer Nadir Khayat, widely known as RedOne.
Operating as FIFA’s creative entertainment executive, RedOne has directed the organization's musical strategy since the 2022 tournament.
More music is expected shortly as organizers finalize the tracklist.
Colombian icon Shakira -who delivered the iconic 2010 South Africa World Cup anthem Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)- is scheduled to unveil Dai Dai, a brand-new tournament anthem featuring Nigerian Afrobeat star Burna Boy.
