Rwanda’s Alyn Sano takes the stage at FIFA Fan Festival in Houston| The New Times

Rwandan singer and songwriter Alyn Sano is in Houston, Texas, where she is set to perform Wednesday at the FIFA Fan Festival, the official entertainment program running alongside the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Her appearance comes on a day when NRG Stadium hosts Portugal against DR Congo in a Group K match. Sano said the invitation marks one of the most important moments of her career and carries meaning beyond her own name. ALSO READ: What to know about FIFA’s 2026 World Cup music project “I am so excited,” she told The New Times. “Being given this stage at the FIFA Fan Festival, it is not just for me. I am carrying Rwanda and Africa with me.” The Houston festival runs for all 34 match days of the FIFA World Cup and places Sano among a small group of African artistes featured during the tournament. She is set to perform alongside DJ Anarchy at 6 p.m. GMT+2, on the main stage at Aramco Arena. Open to the public and active on every match day, FIFA Fan Festival Houston is the city’s hub for live match viewing, music and global celebrations throughout the tournament. Her 25-minute set is expected to include her new song, “AFRICA,” along with tracks such as “Head” and “Mwiza.” The song, which celebrates the continent’s identity and energy, fits the setting of a global football event. Sano said the performance is another step in a year that has already taken her to major international stages, including The NAMM Show 2026 in Los Angeles.