Why was popstar Ciara on the pitch before United States vs Australia?

Ciara attends the coin toss before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Australia — Ayase Ueda of Japan (Image credit: Sarah Stier - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

United States vs Australia sees the meeting of two sides who have never faced each other in World Cup football.

Both the Stars and Stripes and the Socceroos won their opening fixtures in Group D, with both looking to get a more favourable route through the competition.

Before kick-off, however, popstar Ciara appeared on the pitch to pose for photos with the referee… but why?

United States vs Australia welcomes Ciara pre-match

2000s RnB singer Ciara was best known for the songs Goodies, 1, 2 Step and Oh, carving out a solid career, though hasn't hit the charts in the United Kingdom for quite a while.

The 40-year-old bizarrely appeared on the pitch before the game between her native United States and Australia, posing for photos with the referee and assistant officials.

In one of the more random celebrity spots of the World Cup so far, Ciara was there as part of a role with On Location for FIFA World Cup 2026, spotlighting Atlanta, fan access, and the role of music in shaping matchday energy.

According to FIFA's hospitality site for the tournament, the singer is a “hospitality captain” for Atlanta, where she began her career.

These captains are, according to the governing body, “a group of celebrities, sports legends, and culinary experts representing each of the tournament's host cities. They serve as official hosts and cultural ambassadors for premium ticket and travel packages.”

“The vibe in Atlanta is so special,” Ciara said about her role. “The people are the heartbeat of this place.”

Ciara did the coin toss for United States vs. Australia in Seattle 🪙 pic.twitter.com/joS1nbncPJJune 19, 2026

Despite this game being played in Seattle, rather than Atlanta, the popstar was around before kick-off to conduct the coin toss for the match, much to the bemusement of fans tuning in.

Funnily enough, we can't see hospitality captains catching on in Blighty any time soon.

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Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.