‘Michael’ Star Jaafar Jackson Brings the King of Pop’s Energy to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Red Carpet
Fans got an unexpected treat at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony when Jaafar Jackson turned up on the red carpet, sending social media into a frenzy. Dressed in a cream cable-knit ensemble that was effortlessly cool, Jaafar showed up looking every bit the rising star he has become.
The ‘Michael’ star attended the FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony on June 12, 2026 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California, joining a wave of Hollywood names who came out to celebrate the tournament’s arrival on American soil. Other stars spotted at Los Angeles Stadium to cheer on Team USA against Paraguay included Paris Hilton, Tobey Maguire, and Rob Lowe.
The ceremony featured electrifying performances by Katy Perry, Future, Blackpink’s Lisa, Anitta, Remi, and Tyla, while Dan and Shay performed the U.S. national anthem ahead of the USA vs Paraguay match. Comedian and actor Jason Sudeikis also served as FIFA World Cup 2026 ambassador, welcoming fans to the historic event.
The timing of Jaafar’s appearance feels significant. ‘Michael’, the highly anticipated biopic in which he plays his uncle, the King of Pop, was released in theaters on April 24, 2026, and has been dominating conversations ever since. The film debuted to a record-breaking opening, earning over $97 million domestically, setting a new benchmark for biographical films. The project was directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, with Colman Domingo and Nia Long rounding out the ensemble as Michael Jackson’s parents.
For Jaafar, the role represents both an artistic breakthrough and a profound family responsibility, placing him at the intersection of legacy and reinvention as one of music’s most examined stories returned to the screen. Director Fuqua said in a statement to Variety that it was “incredibly exciting” to watch Jaafar bring Michael to life, noting a “spiritual connection” and praising the young actor’s natural ability to emulate his uncle.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a landmark edition of the tournament, marking the first time it has been co-hosted by three nations, with 48 teams competing across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With so much star power drawn to the opening festivities, Jaafar’s presence added yet another unmistakable layer of cultural weight to an already historic event. Seeing the face of one of 2026’s biggest films show up to one of the world’s biggest sporting events felt like a collision of pop culture moments that fans were very ready for.
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