South African pop star Tyla will sing her country's national anthem before the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when South Africa take on Mexico in Mexico City on June 11. The game kicks off at 21:00 SAST, and Tyla is also set to perform during the opening and pre-match ceremonies at Mexico City Stadium. Mexican singer Alejandro Fernández will handle Mexico's anthem, while World Cup ambassador Salma Hayek Pinault will officially welcome fans. For South Africa, this World Cup return is their first since 2010, making Tyla's role all the more symbolic.
Who is Tyla, singer of the South African National Anthem at World Cup 2026 opening match?
Tyla is a 24-year-old singer from Edenvale, a suburb on the eastern fringe of Johannesburg. She dropped out of mining engineering studies to sign with Epic Records, and the gamble paid off almost immediately. Her breakout single "Water" became the first track by a South African solo artist to crack the Billboard Hot 100 in 55 years. At the 2024 Grammy Awards, she became the youngest African artist ever to win, taking home the inaugural Best African Music Performance trophy at just 22.
Since then, the accolades have kept coming. Three MTV Europe Music Awards, two BET Awards, two VMAs, and a growing catalogue of recognisable hits including "Chanel" and "PUSH 2 START." There was no real debate about who should represent South Africa on the world's biggest sporting stage. Tyla is the most globally recognised South African artist working today.
Her tie to the tournament runs deeper than just the anthem performance. She and US rapper Future previously released "Game Time," the seventh official World Cup single. The broader soundtrack also features Shakira and Burna Boy on "Dai Dai," LISA, Anitta and Rema on "Goals," and Jessie Reyez and Elyanna on "Illuminate." Tyla is also among the performers at the opening ceremony itself, joining a lineup that includes Shakira, J Balvin, Burna Boy, Belinda, Maná, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, and Los Ángeles Azules, set to begin 90 minutes before kick-off.
What are Tyla's net worth and personal life details?
As of 2026, Tyla's net worth is estimated at between $8 million and $15 million, according to Capital Xtra. Her earnings reflect a rapid rise that very few artists manage in such a short window.
On the personal front, Tyla is currently single. She has previously dismissed speculation about a relationship with Travis Scott, and those rumours have long since died down.
One detail worth noting ahead of her anthem performance: South Africa's national anthem is sung across five languages. Xhosa, Zulu, Afrikaans, Sotho, and English all feature in "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika," reflecting the country's 12 official languages, the most recent of which, South African Sign Language, was recognised in 2023. It is among the most linguistically layered anthems in world football, and Tyla carrying it onto the global stage in Mexico City will be a moment South African fans will not forget quickly.
Get the latest Sports news and live updates. Download the TOI App.Prantik Prabal Roy is a passionate sports writer who eats, breath...
Read MorePrantik Prabal Roy is a passionate sports writer who eats, breathes, and lives the game. Since 2020, he has been in the content writing industry after completion of his Master's degree in English literature and covering the NFL since 2024 with sharp insights, while also diving into the NHL and MLB with equal enthusiasm. He loves crafting content that drives traffic without sacrificing quality. He blends storytelling with analysis to keep readers hooked. When he’s not writing, Prantik can be found cheering on the Buffalo Bills or diving into books that celebrate the world of sports.
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