South Africa enjoyed a moment of pride on the global stage just minutes before Bafana Bafana kicked off their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against Mexico, as Tyla delivered a stirring national anthem performance at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The Grammy Award-winning artist joined forces with the Mzansi Youth Choir during the tournament’s opening ceremony, performing South Africa’s national anthem in front of a packed stadium and a worldwide television audience. The moment placed both acts at the heart of one of football’s most-watched spectacles, setting an emotional tone ahead of the tournament’s first official match.
For Tyla, the Johannesburg-born global star whose rise has captivated audiences around the world, the performance carried deep personal meaning. Taking to Instagram shortly after the appearance, she reflected on the experience and described it as a once-in-a-lifetime moment shared with fellow South Africans on an international stage.
“Oh, what I did today? I just sang my country’s national anthem with the @mzansiyouthchoir at the @fifaworldcup today whuttt, lolll I feel so blessed having shared this moment with such special vocalists,” she wrote.
She went on to thank those involved, adding: “Thank you for being a part of this core memory. And @bafanabafanaofficial y’all looked flyyy asf… 2 more games!! Let’s go!!!!”
A Surreal Moment for the Mzansi Youth Choir
The Mzansi Youth Choir, who performed alongside Tyla, also described the experience as unforgettable. According to members, the opportunity to sing at a FIFA World Cup opening ceremony was something they had never imagined would become reality.
They shared that the experience felt emotional and almost surreal, with the scale of the moment only fully sinking in once they stepped onto the pitch at Estadio Azteca.
The choir also revealed that the collaboration with Tyla came as a surprise, with details of the joint performance only confirmed shortly before their departure to Mexico. The unexpected pairing added to the excitement and made the occasion even more memorable for the group.
Tyla and Mzansi Youth Choir sharing love and joy after their perf pic.twitter.com/xnmhSLHc4y
— 🌴Jordy 🐅 (@VibeByDesignn) June 11, 2026
A Powerful Display of South African Pride
For viewers back home, the performance quickly became one of the standout highlights of the opening ceremony. The combination of Tyla’s global star power and the choir’s rich vocal harmonies created a powerful representation of South African culture on one of sport’s biggest stages.
The moment resonated widely on social media, where fans praised the performance for showcasing national pride and artistic excellence just before Bafana Bafana’s tournament debut.
After the anthem, Tyla was seen celebrating backstage with members of the choir, further embracing the significance of the occasion.
She was later spotted in the stands alongside Mexican-American singer and actress Becky G, with whom she previously collaborated on her debut album, adding another star-studded moment to the evening’s festivities.
Disappointment on the Pitch for Bafana Bafana
Despite the uplifting pre-match atmosphere, the result on the field did not match the optimism off it. Bafana Bafana began their World Cup campaign with a 2-0 defeat to hosts Mexico, leaving supporters disappointed after a highly anticipated opener.
While the result was a setback for the team, the pre-match ceremony ensured that South Africans still had a moment of pride to reflect on, thanks to Tyla and the Mzansi Youth Choir’s emotional and memorable performance on the world stage.
For many fans, the night ultimately became a blend of celebration and disappointment — a powerful anthem performance that captured national pride, followed by a challenging start to South Africa’s World Cup journey.
