This story is part of Billboard’s Global World Cup Series, a collection of stories which pairs top soccer stars across the world competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with highly-touted musicians in accompanying countries.
When Nora Fatehi stepped onto the stage in Toronto for the opening celebrations of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, dressed in red and performing before millions of viewers around the world, the moment felt historic.
So did Elyanna’s.
The Palestinian singer joined the celebrations after contributing “Illuminate” alongside Jessie Reyez to the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album, becoming part of a tournament that has increasingly embraced artists and sounds from across the Arab world.
To many watching, these appearances may have looked like breakthrough moments. In reality, they were something else entirely: the visible culmination of a cultural shift that has been unfolding for years.
