Who is Tyla? Meet the South Africa national anthem singer for 2026 World Cup opening ceremony

At just 24 years old, Tyla has already taken the global music scene by storm. She won the first Grammy for Best African Music Performance in 2024 and has pop hits galore. 

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Now, with South Africa back in the World Cup for the first time in 16 years, Tyla will be the one singing the National Anthem for her country. 

This is a long time coming for South Africa, both in terms of its World Cup appearance and global music acclaim. Tyla’s song «Water» became the first song by a South African soloist to reach the Billboard Hot 100 in 55 years. 

Here is everything to know about the young, up-and-coming South African singer. 

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Who is Tyla?

Tyla is a 24-year-old singer from Edenvale, South Africa, a small city on the outskirts of Johannesburg. 

With her 2024 Grammy win at just 22 years old, Tyla became the youngest African artist to take home the award. This happened just a few years after Tyla took a break from her mining engineering studies to sign a deal with Epic Records. 

Today, Tyla is a chart-topping superstar, with recognizable songs like «Water,» «Chanel» and «PUSH 2 START.» She has won three EMAs at MTV’s Europe Music Awards, two BET Awards and two VMAs. 

As perhaps the most recognizable South African in the global music scene today, she was a slam dunk choice to sing the national anthem before South Africa’s return to the World Cup stage. 

MORE: Full list of World Cup 2026 opening ceremony performers

Tyla net worth

According to Capital Xtra, Tyla’s net worth is estimated to be between $8-15 million in 2026. 

Tyla relationship status 

Tyla is not currently in a relationship with anyone. In the past, she has shot down rumors about dating Travis Scott and others.

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Lyrics to South African national anthem

South Africa has 12 official languages, with the most recent, South African Sign Language, being added in 2023. Because of the vast array of languages, the South African anthem is not in one or two or three languages, but five. These include Xhosa, Zulu, Afrikaans, Sotho and English. 

English lyrics: 

God bless Africa
May her horn rise up high

Hear our prayers
Lord bless us, as your children.

Lord we ask You to protect our nation,
End all conflicts and troubles
Protect us, protect our nation,
The nation of South Africa, South Africa.

From the blue of our heavens
From the depths of our sea,
Over our eternal mountain ranges
Where the cliffs give (the) answer.

Sounds the call to come together,
And united we shall stand.
Let us live and strive for freedom,
In South Africa, our land.

Lyrics as its sung:

(Xhosa) Nkosi sikelel’ iAfrika
Maluphakanyisw’ uphondo lwayo

(Zulu) Yizwa imithandazo yethu
Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo.

(Sotho) Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso,
O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho,
O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso,
Setjhaba sa, South Afrika, South Afrika.

(Afrikaans) Uit die blou van onse hemel,
Uit die diepte van ons see,
Oor ons ewige gebergtes
Waar die kranse antwoord gee.

(English) Sounds the call to come together,
And united we shall stand.
Let us live and strive for freedom,
In South Africa, our land.

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