Israeli-Arab singer from Nazareth, Elyanna, takes the stage at 2026 World Cup opening ceremony

Elyanna, a 24-year-old singer from Nazareth, Israel, took the stage at the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto, Canada. She performed "Illuminate," one of the tournament's official soundtrack songs, alongside Canadian artist Jessie Reyez.

The high-energy performance, held at BMO Field before Canada's opening match, featured dynamic choreography and powerful vocals. Elyanna's outfit blended multiple cultural influences, reflecting her artistic style. International media noted her as the sole artist of Middle Eastern or North African descent on FIFA's official soundtrack.

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Illuminate

Born Elian Amer Marjieh in Nazareth, Elyanna grew up in a Christian Israeli family. Her musical journey began early, influenced by her grandfather's Lebanese folk poetry and her Chilean grandmother's piano skills. In 2017, she moved to the United States to pursue an international music career, eventually signing with Universal Arabic Music.

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experimental Arab pop

Elyanna has developed a distinctive sound she calls "experimental Arab pop," blending Arabic music with pop, R&B, and Latin elements. She gained wider recognition in 2023 by performing the first full Arabic-language set at the Coachella festival. Her debut album, "Woledto," was released in 2024. She often identifies with her Palestinian-Chilean heritage, referring to herself as "Your Pali girl."

The song "Illuminate," co-written with Reyez, incorporates both English and Arabic lyrics, mirroring Elyanna's background and artistic journey. Her World Cup performance celebrated cultural diversity and garnered significant attention on social media.

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Your Pali girl.