Katy Perry gave an heartfelt performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup inaugural celebration in Los Angeles on Friday, sharing the stage featuring 10-year-old Norwegian singer Tius Luka just ten minutes before the opening match between the United States and Paraguay commenced at SoFi Stadium. The pair sang “Wonder” from Perry’s seventh studio album 143, with Luka delivering the opening and closing lines whilst Perry sang the verses. The heartfelt rendition, framed by a display of international flags, concluded with Perry lifting the young singer into a hug as the crowd burst into applause. The performance constituted a memorable highlight in a star-studded opening ceremony that highlighted global musical talent.
A Musical Partnership Between Continents
The collaboration between Perry and Luka carries a compelling backstory that covers several years and continents. Perry first heard Luka’s singing in 2023, when the young Norwegian singer was just five years old. Inspired by his unique vocal style, Perry wrote the verses for “Wonder” and incorporated the track into her sixth album. The pop icon then reached out to Luka with an offer to collaborate at the World Cup, prompting the 10-year-old to travel from Norway to Los Angeles for the momentous occasion.
In a post on social media ahead of their performance, Perry discussed the touching narrative of how the duet was created. She explained that Luka had originally recorded his part of the song back in 2021 when he was only five years old. “Tius is 10 now and travelled to LA from Norway to sing this song with me,” Perry wrote, emphasising the meaning of bringing the original vision to life on one of sport’s grandest stages. The cross-border partnership underscored the unifying power of music at the World Cup.
- Luka laid down his vocals in 2021 at only five years of age
- Perry heard his voice in 2023 and was inspired to compose
- Young singer journeyed from Norway to Los Angeles to perform
- Duet represents the realisation of Perry’s creative vision spanning five years
The History Within the Song
From Recording Facility to International Platform
The origins of “Wonder” started years before its World Cup premiere, stemming from a chance discovery that would eventually direct Perry’s artistic vision. When Perry initially discovered Luka’s vocal track in 2023, she was immediately captivated by the young Norwegian’s distinctive voice and expressive interpretation. Rather than simply featuring his existing recording, Perry chose artistically to create fresh material that would support Luka’s evocative singing. This collaborative approach changed a basic vocal element into a finished two-part song, with Perry’s songwriting crafted specifically to develop and expand on the groundwork Luka had laid down two years earlier.
The timeline of this artistic collaboration reveals the meticulous attention Perry devoted to the project. Luka’s first take, recorded when he was just five years old, had a innocence and purity that struck a chord with the pop star. By the time Perry had finalised her song and woven the track into her sixth album, Luka had developed substantially, yet the charm of his young performance remained intact. The choice to bring together performer and recording on the World Cup stage was far more than a straightforward musical occasion—it was the result of years of artistic vision at last realised in front of millions of people worldwide.
The worldwide dimensions of this collaboration brought another degree of importance to the show. For Luka, the journey from his Norwegian home to Los Angeles represented a rare opportunity to perform on one of the sport’s most prestigious platforms. Perry’s dedication to transporting the young singer across the Atlantic highlighted her belief in the strength of their duet and the timeless appeal of music. The performance ultimately transcended conventional celebrity endorsement and novelty act territory, instead standing as a genuine artistic partnership between two singers separated by age and geography but united by a shared creative vision.
A Magnificent Opening Ceremony
The 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremonies turned out to be a star-studded extravaganza, with performances spanning various regions and musical genres. Taking place at the same time in Los Angeles and Toronto on Friday, the dual ceremonies highlighted the tournament’s worldwide scope and dedication to providing top-tier entertainment. The Los Angeles event at SoFi Stadium established the standard with energetic shows that captivated audiences and created an electric atmosphere for the opening matches. Each artist contributed their distinctive style to the proceedings, generating unforgettable instances that would be talked about well beyond the end of play.
Beyond the main ceremonies in Los Angeles and Toronto, Mexico City presented its own stunning opening show on Thursday evening, confirming that all three host nations enjoyed equally impressive entertainment. The range of talent gathered for these first celebrations reflected FIFA’s ambition to establish inclusive, culturally significant events. From prominent superstars to up-and-coming musical talents, the lineup reflected a commitment to showcasing diverse musical traditions and contemporary artistry. These ceremonies set a high bar for the tournament’s entertainment offering, delivering fans an unforgettable World Cup experience.
| Performance | Artists |
|---|---|
| Game Time | Future and Tyla |
| Goals | Lisa, Anitta, and Rema |
| Dai Dai | Shakira and Burna Boy |
| Wonder | Katy Perry and Tius Luka |
- Toronto’s launch event showcased Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette, and Alessia Cara performances.
- Canadian artists Noah Fatehi, Sanjoy, and Vegedream took the stage in Toronto’s ceremony.
- Future and Tyla opened Los Angeles with the designated World Cup single “Game Time.”
- Multiple opening ceremonies were held across Mexico City, Los Angeles, and Toronto locations.
- The acts represented artists from Norway, America, South Korea, Brazil, Nigeria, and other nations.
Global Unity By Way of Music
The 2026 FIFA World Cup inaugural celebrations transcended conventional athletic display by weaving together musical performances that showcased global diversity and cultural interconnection. From the moment Future and Tyla ignited the Los Angeles stage with “Game Time” to Katy Perry’s emotionally resonant collaboration with Norwegian vocalist Tius Luka, each musical piece carried deeper significance apart from mere entertainment. The ceremonies deliberately assembled performers from multiple continents, linguistic backgrounds, and musical traditions, forming a symbolic tapestry that reflected football’s universal appeal. This intentional selection illustrated FIFA’s recognition that the tournament functions as far beyond a sporting competition—it functions as a worldwide event where sports and music unite billions of viewers across cultural boundaries.
The simultaneous hosting of opening ceremonies in three countries underscored the tournament’s unprecedented scale and operational complexity. Mexico City, Los Angeles, and Toronto each enjoyed bespoke entertainment experiences reflecting their distinctive musical traditions whilst maintaining connection to the wider World Cup story. Toronto’s celebration featured Canadian icons such as Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette, honouring the nation’s vibrant musical heritage. Meanwhile, Los Angeles presented world-renowned performers alongside emerging talents, fostering an intergenerational dialogue through music. This geographical distribution ensured that participating countries felt similarly honoured, whilst the range of acts—spanning pop, hip-hop, reggae, and world music—demonstrated football’s capacity to overcome language and border barriers, fostering genuine global solidarity.
The Significance of the Occasion
Katy Perry’s performance of “Wonder” with ten-year-old Tius Luka went well beyond a celebrity collaboration; it embodied the tournament’s dedication to bridging generational divides and showcasing emerging talent on the globe’s biggest sports platform. Perry’s choice to incorporate Luka’s singing track from 2021, when he was merely five years old, created an extraordinary narrative arc five years of artistic development. The Norwegian child’s progression from recording sessions to performing before millions at SoFi Stadium captured the transformative power of music and international opportunity. This intimate moment—Perry hoisting the young performer into an embrace whilst audiences applauded—encapsulated the heart of the World Cup experience, reminding viewers that beneath the spectacle lies authentic human bonds and artistic passion.