Elyanna and Nora Fatehi Make History at Canada’s World Cup Opening Ceremony
TORONTO — Palestinian‑Chilean singer Elyanna and Moroccan‑Canadian star Nora Fatehi helped Canada stage an historic opening ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday, the first time the tournament has launched with interconnected celebrations across multiple host nations.
Produced by Italian creative director Marco Balich, the Toronto event was the second part of a three‑country spectacle spanning Canada, the US, and Mexico. It took place 90 minutes before Canada’s opening match, with a theme highlighting football’s power to unite cultures across borders.
Fatehi performed her FIFA track “Siir Siir,” inspired by the popular Moroccan football chant meaning “go, go.” The song blends Moroccan Darija, Arabic, French, and English. Elyanna, 24, performed “Illuminate,” her collaboration with Canadian singer Jessie Reyez, produced by Cirkut.
They joined a lineup that included Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette, and Alessia Cara. The ceremony followed Thursday’s opening event in Mexico City, where Shakira and Burna Boy performed before Mexico’s match against South Africa.
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