Katy Perry gave an moving rendition at the 2026 FIFA World Cup inaugural celebration in Los Angeles on Friday, performing alongside featuring 10-year-old Norwegian singer Tius Luka just ten minutes before the first game between the United States and Paraguay began at SoFi Stadium. The pair performed “Wonder” from Perry’s seventh studio album 143, with Luka singing the opening and closing verses whilst Perry provided the verses. The heartfelt rendition, framed by a display of international flags, concluded with Perry lifting the young singer into an embrace as the crowd roared with approval. The performance constituted a poignant moment in a celebrity-filled inaugural event that showcased global musical talent.
A Duet Across Continents
The partnership between Perry and Luka features a remarkable backstory that spans several years and continents. Perry initially discovered Luka’s vocal recording in 2023, when the Norwegian vocalist was just five years old. Inspired by his distinctive voice, Perry wrote the verses for “Wonder” and included the track into her sixth studio album. The pop superstar then reached out to Luka with an offer to perform together at the World Cup, leading the 10-year-old to travel from Norway to Los Angeles for the momentous occasion.
In a online post ahead of their performance, Perry revealed the emotional account of how the duet came together. She revealed that Luka had originally recorded his part of the song back in 2021 when he was just five years old. “Tius is 10 now and flew all the way to LA from Norway to sing this song with me,” Perry wrote, highlighting the importance of making the original vision a reality on one of football’s biggest stages. The cross-border partnership illustrated the unifying power of music at the World Cup.
- Luka recorded his vocal in 2021 at only five years of age
- Perry heard his voice in 2023 and felt motivated to write
- Young singer travelled from Norway to Los Angeles to perform
- Duet represents the realisation of Perry’s creative vision spanning five years
The Tale Within the Track
From Recording Studio to World Stage
The beginnings of “Wonder” commenced years before its World Cup premiere, stemming from a chance discovery that would eventually influence Perry’s creative direction. When Perry first encountered Luka’s singing recording in 2023, she was instantly drawn in by the young Norwegian’s distinctive voice and heartfelt performance. Rather than just using his current vocal, Perry chose artistically to write new lyrics that would complement Luka’s evocative singing. This collaborative approach transformed a basic vocal element into a finished two-part song, with Perry’s lyrical composition crafted specifically to strengthen and establish the groundwork Luka had laid down two years earlier.
The sequence of events of this creative partnership showcases the careful detail Perry devoted to the project. Luka’s first take, recorded when he was just five years old, had a genuine simplicity that struck a chord with the pop star. By the time Perry had completed her composition and incorporated the track into her sixth album, Luka had developed substantially, yet the magic of his childhood vocal persisted unaltered. The decision to reunite performer and recording on the World Cup stage represented more than a straightforward musical occasion—it was the result of years of creative vision finally coming to fruition in front of millions of people worldwide.
The global nature of this collaboration brought another layer of significance to the performance. For Luka, the move away from his Norwegian home to Los Angeles constituted a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform on one of the sport’s most prestigious platforms. Perry’s commitment to bringing the young singer across the Atlantic highlighted her belief in the strength of their duet and the universal language 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 bound by a shared artistic direction.
A Stunning Inaugural Event
The 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremonies proved to be a star-studded extravaganza, with performances spanning various regions and diverse musical styles. Held simultaneously in Los Angeles and Toronto on Friday, the twin events showcased the tournament’s worldwide scope and commitment to delivering world-class entertainment. The Los Angeles occasion at SoFi Stadium established the standard with high-energy performances that captivated audiences and created an vibrant ambiance for the opening matches. Each performer contributed their distinctive style to the event, creating memorable moments that would be talked about long after the final whistle.
Beyond the primary ceremonies in Los Angeles and Toronto, Mexico City staged its own impressive opening show on Thursday evening, guaranteeing that all three host nations received equally impressive entertainment. The range of talent assembled for these opening celebrations demonstrated FIFA’s ambition to establish inclusive, culturally significant events. From renowned superstars to emerging musical talents, the lineup demonstrated a commitment to representing diverse musical traditions and contemporary artistry. These ceremonies established a high bar for the tournament’s entertainment value, promising 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 opening.
- Future and Tyla kicked off Los Angeles with the official World Cup single “Game Time.”
- Multiple opening ceremonies were held across Mexico City, Los Angeles, and Toronto venues.
- The performances featured artists from Norway, America, South Korea, Brazil, Nigeria, and beyond.
Global Unity Through Music
The 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremonies went beyond conventional athletic display by weaving together musical performances that celebrated worldwide cultural variety and cultural interconnection. From the instant Future and Tyla ignited the Los Angeles venue with “Game Time” to Katy Perry’s poignant duet with Norwegian vocalist Tius Luka, each performance carried deeper significance beyond mere entertainment. The ceremonies deliberately assembled performers from various continents, linguistic backgrounds, and musical traditions, creating a symbolic tapestry that embodied the sport’s worldwide reach. This intentional selection demonstrated FIFA’s recognition that the World Cup functions as more than a athletic contest—it operates as a global gathering where sports and music bring together millions of people throughout different cultures.
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 showcased Canadian icons including Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette, honouring the nation’s vibrant musical heritage. Meanwhile, Los Angeles showcased world-renowned performers alongside rising artists, creating an cross-generational conversation through music. This geographical distribution ensured that host nations felt similarly honoured, whilst the range of acts—spanning pop, hip-hop, reggae, and world music—demonstrated football’s ability to transcend linguistic and geographical limitations, nurturing authentic worldwide unity.
The Relevance of the Moment
Katy Perry’s rendition of “Wonder” with ten-year-old Tius Luka went well beyond a celebrity collaboration; it symbolised the tournament’s commitment to connecting different age groups and showcasing emerging talent on the world’s largest sporting stage. Perry’s choice to include Luka’s vocal recording from 2021, when he was only five years old, created an extraordinary narrative arc five years of creative growth. The Norwegian child’s progression from recording sessions to taking the stage in front of millions at SoFi Stadium captured the profound impact of music and international opportunity. This personal exchange—Perry lifting the young performer into an embrace whilst audiences applauded—crystallised the heart of the World Cup experience, prompting viewers that beneath the spectacle lies authentic human bonds and creative expression.