Long before the first whistle is blown at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Nigeria is already making its presence felt on one of the tournament’s biggest cultural stages.
Four Nigerian music stars, Davido, Rema, Burna Boy and Ayra Starr have secured places on the official FIFA World Cup 2026 album, reinforcing the country's growing influence in shaping the sound of global entertainment. Their inclusion comes as FIFA assembles a diverse lineup of artists from across continents, genres and languages for a project designed to accompany the world's most-watched sporting event.
The official tracklist was revealed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Instagram, where he described the collection as featuring “an extraordinarily strong music squad.” The album forms part of FIFA’s wider music initiative ahead of the 2026 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Nigeria's representatives are spread across some of the album's most notable collaborations. Rema appears on GOALS alongside LISA and Anitta, while Ayra Starr joins Latto on SHOW ME. Davido features on NO PLACE LIKE HOME with Major Lazer and Nelly Furtado, and Burna Boy partners with Shakira on DAI DAI.
The project highlights how football and music continue to intersect on a global scale. Built around FIFA's theme, Football Unites the World, the album brings together artists whose audiences span different cultures and regions, reflecting the international character of the World Cup itself.
Beyond the Nigerian stars, the 18-track collection features an extensive cast of international performers, among them are Future, Tyla, Stormzy, Daddy Yankee, Jessie Reyez, Shenseea and The Rolling Stones, each contributing to a soundtrack intended to capture the energy and diversity of the tournament.
Several collaborations stand out across the album. Future and Tyla team up for GAME TIME, while Stormzy, Fridayy and Angel appear on BLESSINGS. Legendary rock band The Rolling Stones contribute IN THE STARS (REMIX), while Daddy Yankee and Shenseea feature on ECHO. Other tracks include LIGHTER by Jelly Roll and Carín León, and LOVE ALWAYS WINS by Shaggy, Cimafunk and Zema.
The release continues FIFA’s long-standing practice of pairing football with global entertainment to expand the reach of its flagship competition. Through official songs, albums and artist collaborations, the organisation has consistently used music as a vehicle for connecting fans beyond the stadium.
Nigeria have become increasingly visible in FIFA-linked productions, a reflection of the international rise of Afrobeats and the expanding influence of Nigerian creativity. From chart-topping records to major sporting platforms, Nigerian musicians are no longer simply participating in global conversations, they are helping shape them.
The inclusion of Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Davido and Rema on the FIFA World Cup 2026 official album is another indication that as the tournament draws nearer, Nigeria's sound will once again resonate far beyond its borders, reaching millions of football and music fans around the world.
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