Sanjay Deb represents Bangladesh in style on FIFA World Cup 2026 opening stage

Bangladeshi-origin American DJ and music producer Sanjoy Deb brought a touch of Bangladesh to the global spotlight during the star-studded opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, earning praise for both his performance and a symbolic tribute to his roots.

Sanjoy performed at the tournament's opening event on Friday night (June 12) in Toronto, ahead of the World Cup match between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina. He joined internationally acclaimed performer Nora Fatehi on stage for a performance of her latest track, alongside French pop artist Vegedream.

While his appearance on one of football's biggest stages drew attention, it was Sanjoy's outfit that generated widespread discussion online. The artist wore a custom-designed jacket featuring embroidered symbols representing Bangladesh, including the Royal Bengal Tiger, the national flower water lily (Shapla), and elements inspired by the national flag.

Throughout the performance, Sanjoy repeatedly highlighted the embroidered section of the jacket, drawing the attention of the crowd and television viewers to the Bangladeshi motifs. Images and video clips from the event quickly circulated on social media, where many praised the creative and subtle representation of Bangladesh before a global audience.

The World Cup opening ceremony featured a diverse lineup of international performers, including Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez, William Prince and Palestinian singer Elyanna.