Last night, Tyla took to the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony stage to sing her home country South Africa’s national anthem. Flanked by the Mzansi Youth Choir, the Johannesburg born-and-raised artist delivered a powerful rendition of the song to the thousands-strong crowd. A proud girl from Jo’burg, Tyla just had to imbue her signature, high-octane style of glam with a nod to her nationality.
Her nails were done by Coca Michelle, a celebrity nail artist who often works with Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, and Tyla (peep the “She Did It Again” video and her Met Gala appearances), as well as being an OPI global ambassador. The fresh set were an elongated almond shape with a gleaming white polish. On the flip side, a detailed rendering of the South African flag.
Tyla’s nails, by Coca Michelle.
Michelle painted her elongated almond set a glossy white, handpainting the underside in the colors of the South African flag.
When Tyla was shooting content for her last album rollout, Michelle created several nail concepts. “Her World Cup nail look was inspired by one of the designs that wasn’t ultimately used,” she shares with Vogue. “She ended up bringing the concept back into conversation when we were ideating the nail look for this event, and the occasion felt like the perfect fit.”
The white manicure is “clean and effortless,” describes Michelle, “but the hand-painted South African flag on the underside of each nail adds a unique and meaningful touch. The design reflects Tyla’s heritage in a subtle yet impactful way, making it especially fitting for the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony, where national pride and flags take center stage.”
Photo: Instagram (@tyla)
Photo: Instagram (@tyla)
