International star Tyla disclosed that she nearly turned down a key opportunity in her career—singing the South African national anthem at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony. In an open conversation with seasoned American radio host Big Boy, the Grammy-winning artist shared that initial feelings of anxiety and uncertainty led her to question her readiness for such a significant occasion.
This insightful interview, broadcast on 24 July 2026, provided fans a glimpse into the emotional landscape Tyla encountered before taking the stage at one of the most prestigious sporting events. On 11 June 2026, she had the honor of representing South Africa by performing the national anthem with the renowned Mzansi Youth Choir prior to Bafana Bafana’s opening match against Mexico.
Although she delivered a stirring performance, Tyla admitted that accepting the offer was not a straightforward choice.
“I was very nervous about it. At first, I was like, ‘No, I don’t think so, I don’t think I’m ready,’” she shared.
The singer elaborated that the magnitude of the event was initially daunting.
“When I got the offer, it felt too big for me. And then I was like, ‘F it!’”
Tyla recognized that she would likely regret missing such a remarkable opportunity, prompting her to accept the challenge despite her concerns.
Looking back on the event, she characterized it as the pinnacle performance of her career.
“That was the biggest thing I’ve ever done, in terms of the number of people seeing it, and it being the World Cup is such a huge opportunity to be given so early in my career.”
Reports suggest that Tyla earned $300,000 (approximately R5 million) for her performance, illustrating the occasion’s significance for her both professionally and personally.
While she appeared composed during her performance, Tyla confessed to grappling with considerable nerves. As she stood before millions of viewers worldwide, she repeatedly reminded herself with one simple phrase:
“Please don’t faint!”
Fortunately, any anxiety dissipated rapidly after the performance. Instead of feeling relieved, Tyla wished she could relive the moment.
This revelation aligns with her earlier remarks following her triumph at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards, where she acknowledged facing imposter syndrome despite her accomplishments. Her candidness continues to resonate with her audience, who appreciate her openness about the challenges that accompany fame on a global scale.
The World Cup performance marked yet another significant moment in Tyla’s impressive career, spotlighting South African music at one of the globe’s most-watched events.
Continuing to capitalize on her momentum, Tyla shortly after flew to Los Angeles, where she joined American rap icon Future at SoFi Stadium to unveil their new collaborative single, “Game Time.”
From singing her nation’s anthem before a worldwide audience to sharing the stage with top music artists, Tyla continually affirms her status as one of Africa’s most promising talents. Her journey illustrates that even the most celebrated performers experience doubt; however, significant growth often begins by embracing seemingly impossible opportunities.
“I almost turned down $300,000 to perform South Africa 🇿🇦 anthem at the World Cup because I didn’t think I was ready. It felt too big for me. It the biggest moment of my career, and all I kept telling myself before going on stage was, ‘Please don’t faint.’”😭
— Tyla pic.twitter.com/U8Drt4tWXY
— carter🌚 (@carter8f) July 24, 2026
