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Star power at FIFA World Cup musical performances over the decades
From Whitney Houston, Shakira, to Ricky Martin, here is a look at superstar power at FIFA World Cup performances over the years.
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Bryan Adams performs during a countdown concert ahead of the World Cup soccer tournament on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in Toronto. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Bryan Adams performs during a countdown concert ahead of the World Cup soccer tournament on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in Toronto. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Bryan Adams performs at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert at the FIFA Fan Festival in Toronto on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey
Wyclef Jean and AHI perform at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert at the FIFA Fan Festival in Toronto on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey
AHI performs with Wyclef Jean during a countdown concert ahead of the World Cup soccer tournament, Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in Toronto. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
The Beaches perform at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert at the FIFA Fan Festival in Toronto on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey
The Beaches perform during a countdown concert ahead of the World Cup soccer tournament, Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in Toronto. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
AHI performs at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert at the FIFA Fan Festival in Toronto on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey
Sanjoy, Vegedream, Nora Fatehi, and Rayvanny perfom at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert at the FIFA Fan Festival in Toronto on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey
Nora Fatehi performs at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert at the FIFA Fan Festival in Toronto on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey
South Korean singer Jung Kook performs at the opening ceremony prior he World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
South Korean singer Jung Kook performs at the opening ceremony prior he World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Davido, Aisha, Ozuna, Gims, Nora Fathi, Balqees, Rahma Riad and Manal perform during the closing ceremony prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on Dec. 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Dana, Davido, Aisha, Ozuna, Gims, Nora Fathi, Balqees, Rahma Riad and Manal perform during the closing ceremony prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
Davido, Aisha, Ozuna, Gims, Nora Fathi, Balqees, Rahma Riad and Manal perform during the closing ceremony prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on Dec. 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Shaun Botterill - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Artists perform during the closing ceremony ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
U.S. actor Will Smith, Kosovo singer Era Istrefi, and singer Nicky Jam, from left, perform during a ceremony before the final match between France and Croatia at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, July 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Singer Will Smith, left, and Nicky Jam, right, perform during the closing ceremony prior to the final match between France and Croatia at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, July 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Kosovo singer Era Istrefi, singer Nicky Jam and U.S. actor Will Smith, from left, perform during a ceremony before the final match between France and Croatia at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, July 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Singer Will Smith performs during the closing ceremony prior to the final match between France and Croatia at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, July 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Singers Nicky Jam, left, Era Istrefi, center, and Will Smith, left, perform during the closing ceremony prior to the final match between France and Croatia at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, July 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Robbie Williams and Aida Garifullina sing prior to the match between Russia and Saudi Arabia which opens the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, June 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Victor Caivano)
British singer Robbie Williams performs before the group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia which opens the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, June 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Robbie Williams and Aida Garifullina sing prior to the match between Russia and Saudi Arabia which opens the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, June 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Victor Caivano)
Singer Jennifer Lopez performs during the 2014 World Cup opening ceremony ahead of the group A soccer match between Brazil and Croatia, the opening game of the tournament, in the Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Thursday, June 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte, left, Jennifer Lopez and rapper Pitbull perform during the opening ceremony ahead of the group A World Cup soccer match between Brazil and Croatia, the opening game of the tournament, in the Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Thursday, June 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Singer Jennifer Lopez, left, rapper Pitbull and Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte perform during the opening ceremony ahead of the group A World Cup soccer match between Brazil and Croatia, the opening game of the tournament, in the Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, June 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte, left, Jennifer Lopez and rapper Pitbull perform during the opening ceremony ahead of the group A World Cup soccer match between Brazil and Croatia, the opening game of the tournament, in the Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Thursday, June 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte, right, Jennifer Lopez and rapper Pitbull perform during the opening ceremony ahead of the group A World Cup soccer match between Brazil and Croatia, the opening game of the tournament, in the Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Thursday, June 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Musician Carlinhos Brown and singer Shakira perform during the closing ceremony prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Musician Carlos Santana, centre, on stage during the closing ceremony before the World Cup final soccer match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, July 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Musicians Carlos Santana (1st L), Alexandre Pires (2nd L) and Wyclef Jean (1st R) perform during the closing ceremony prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Colombian pop star Shakira performs during the closing ceremony ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between the Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday, July 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Columbian singer Shakira performs at the opening concert for the soccer World Cup at Orlando stadium in Soweto, South Africa, Thursday, June 10, 2010. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Colombian pop star Shakira, center stage, performs during the closing ceremony ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between the Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday, July 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Colombian pop star Shakira, centre stage, performs during the closing ceremony ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between the Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday, July 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Singer Alicia Keys performs at the opening concert for the soccer World Cup at Orlando stadium in Soweto, South Africa, Thursday, June 10, 2010. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Singer Alicia Keys performs at the opening concert for the soccer World Cup at Orlando stadium in Soweto, South Africa, Thursday, June 10, 2010. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Singer Fergie performs with her band Black Eyed Peas at the opening concert for the soccer World Cup at Orlando stadium in Soweto, South Africa, Thursday, June 10, 2010. (AP Photo/Gero Breloer)
Singer Fergie performs with her band Black Eyed Peas at the opening concert for the soccer World Cup at Orlando stadium in Soweto, South Africa, Thursday, June 10, 2010. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
People wave South African flags as singer Fergie performs with her band Black Eyed Peas at the opening concert for the soccer World Cup at Orlando stadium in Soweto, South Africa, Thursday, June 10, 2010. (AP Photo/Gero Breloer)
Singer John Legend performs during the opening concert for the soccer World Cup at Orlando stadium in Soweto, South Africa, Thursday, June 10, 2010. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Toni Braxton performing in the opening ceremony of FIFA 2006 World Cup played in Munich, Germany on June 9 2006. Germany defeated Costa Rica 4-2. (Photo by T. Quinn/WireImage)
Singer Toni Braxton, left, and Sebastian Izambard of the group Il Divo perform during the closing ceremonies before the World Cupsoccer final between Italy and France in the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Sunday, July 9, 2006. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Shakira and Wyclef-Jean perform during the closing ceremony, July 9, 2006. (Mike Egerton - PA Images via Getty Images)
Shakira and Wyclef-Jean perform during the closing ceremony, July 9, 2006 (Mike Egerton - PA Images via Getty Images)
Pop singer Anastasia performs her World Cup hit 'Boom' on the pitch of the International Stadium Yokohama, Japan, before match 64 of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea Japan final opposing Germany and Brazil, June, 30, 2002. (PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP via Getty Images)
Pop singer Anastasia performs her World Cup hit 'Boom' on the pitch of the International Stadium Yokohama, Japan, before match 64 of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea Japan final opposing Germany and Brazil, June, 30, 2002. (YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP via Getty Images)
Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin performs on the pitch of the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, near Paris, moments before the World Cup final match between Brazil and France, July 12, 1998. (Gabriel Bouys/AFP via Getty Images)
Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin performs on the pitch of the Stade de France, in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, July 12, 1998 before the World Cup final match Brazil vs France. (PASCAL GEORGE/AFP via Getty Images)
Singers Senegalese Youssou N'Dour (L) and Belgian Axel Red (R) perform the official anthem of the World Cup during the opening ceremony of the World Cup, June 10, 1998 at the Stade de France in Saint Denis. (TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP via Getty Images)
From left: Jose Carreras, Palcido Domingo and Luciano Pavrotti wave to the audience, late July 10, 1998 at the end of their "Three Tenors" concert to mark the final of the football World Cup, at the Champs de Mars. (PEDRO UGARTE/AFP via Getty Images)
Soul diva Diana Ross entertains the crowd during the opening ceremony for the World Cup at the Soldier Field stadium in Chicago, June 17, 1994. (Peter Robinson/EMPICS via Getty Images)
Soul diva Diana Ross entertains the crowd during the opening ceremony for the World Cup at the Soldier Field stadium in Chicago, June 17, 1994. (Peter Robinson/EMPICS via Getty Images)
Pele runs out with Whitney Houston before her performance at the 1994 FIFA World Cup - Brazil v Italy - July 17, 1994 in Los Angeles. (Mark Leech/Offside via Getty Images)
Singer and actor Whitney Houston performs during the Closing Ceremony before the 1994 FIFA World Cup Final between Italy and Brazil on July 17, 1994 at the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, Calif. (Allsport/Getty Images)
Whitney Houston performs at the World Cup final between Brazil and Italy on July 17, 1994 in Pasadena, Calif. (Mark Leech/Offside via Getty Images)
lácido Domingo, José Carreras, and Luciano Pavarotti perform at The Three Tenors concert at Dodger Stadium, July 16, 1994 in Los Angeles. (David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images)
Luciano Pavarotti performs at The Three Tenors concert at Dodger Stadium, July 16, 1994 in Los Angeles. (David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images)
Luciano Pavarotti, Jose Carreras (centre) and Placido Domingo (left) perform during the 'Three Tenors' concert at the Caracalla's Therms on July 7, 1990 in Rome, Italy. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)