Palestinian-Chilean singer Elyanna, 24, is one of the official voices of the FIFA World Cup 2026 soundtrack, featuring on Illuminate alongside Canadian singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez. The track was released on May 8th, the fourth official song in FIFA’s expanded multi-artist album for a tournament being held across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Illuminate blends alternative R&B, Arabic melodies, and global pop influences, centering on themes of identity, unity, and resilience, produced by Grammy-winning producer Cirkut. For Elyanna, it is the latest in a string of moments that would have seemed impossible for an Arabic-language artist just a few years ago.
Who Elyanna Is
If you are not already familiar with her, here is the short version. Elyanna first gained worldwide attention in 2023 when she became the first artist to perform a full set in Arabic at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. She later became the first artist to sing in Arabic on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and collaborated with Coldplay on the single We Pray before joining the British band on a worldwide tour. Each of those milestones carried the same significance, not just personal achievement, but a door opened for Arabic music on a global stage that had been historically closed to it.
The Song and What It Carries
Illuminate was written by Elyanna alongside regular collaborators, including her mother Abeer Sbiat Marjieh, her brother Feras Margieh, and Lebanese-Canadian artist and producer Massari. It is a family project as much as a pop record, rooted in the same cultural specificity that makes Elyanna’s work feel different from the usual crossover formula. She was clear about what the placement means to her: “I am deeply proud to represent my culture, my country, and the Middle East, North Africa, and the Arab world on such a global stage through this song.”
The Bigger Picture
Shakira, whose Waka Waka defined the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, is also on the 2026 soundtrack with Dai Dai, a collaboration with Burna Boy set for release on May 14th. The two names together, Shakira and Elyanna, tell you something about where this tournament’s musical identity is headed: global, cross-cultural, and deliberately inclusive of voices that previous editions would not have considered. For the Arab world, Elyanna’s presence on that list is not a footnote. It is a statement.
