Burna Boy Becomes First Nigerian to Perform at FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show
Burna Boy Becomes First Nigerian to Perform at FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Burna Boy has made history as the first Nigerian artiste to perform during a FIFA World Cup final halftime show.
The Afrobeats star, whose real name is Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, delivered the landmark performance during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at the New York New Jersey Stadium in the United States.
Burna Boy shared the stage with Colombian music icon Shakira during FIFA’s inaugural World Cup final halftime entertainment, marking another major milestone for Nigerian music on the global stage.
The duo performed “Dai Dai,” the official anthem of the tournament, before thousands of spectators inside the stadium and millions of viewers watching around the world.
They were joined by Uganda’s Ghetto Kids, whose energetic choreography added colour and excitement to the performance.
Although Nigerian stars including Femi Kuti and Rema had previously appeared at other FIFA World Cup events, Burna Boy became the first Nigerian musician to perform specifically at the final’s halftime show.
The entertainment programme also featured global stars Madonna and Justin Bieber, while Brazilian football legends Ronaldo Nazário and Ronaldinho made appearances before the crowd.
The show, curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, lasted more than 27 minutes and extended beyond the traditional 15-minute halftime interval.
While the new format attracted mixed reactions from football fans and commentators, Burna Boy’s appearance was widely celebrated as another breakthrough for Afrobeats and Nigerian entertainment.
The performance adds to the singer’s growing list of international achievements, following major awards, sold-out concerts and appearances at some of the world’s biggest music and cultural events.
Burna Boy’s World Cup performance further highlights the growing influence of Nigerian music and Afrobeats across global entertainment, sports and popular culture.
