Wyclef Jean Talks 2026 World Cup Performances, Upcoming 7-Album ‘Quantum Leap’ Series & Bringing Haitian Carnival to the World: ‘Feels Like We’re Chosen’

The Grammy winner also reveals his favorite soccer player of all time.

Wyclef Jean backstage at the FIFA NYNJ Fan Event held at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York on Monday, June 15, 2026.

Tiffany Nolasco

Few artists feel as synonymous with the FIFA World Cup as Wyclef Jean.

The three-time Grammy-winning hitmaker returned for his third major appearance at the global tournament, playing a pair of shows to help kick off this year’s festivities. On June 11, he teamed with Canadian folk singer-songwriter AHI to perform their new “Chosen” collaboration at the opening day of the FIFA Fan Festival™ in Toronto. Less than a week later (June 15), Jean jetted to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York, for a bombastic set celebrating his landmark 1997 LP, Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival.