How Bangladeshi-American DJ Sanjoy Lit Up the World Cup Stage in Canada

Bangladeshi-born, Los Angeles-based DJ and music producer Sanjoy has put Bangladesh in the global spotlight by performing at the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Toronto, Canada.

Sanjoy took the stage at Toronto Stadium alongside Bollywood star Nora Fatehi and French hip-hop artist Vegedream ahead of Canada’s opening match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The trio delivered an energetic live performance of "Siir Siir", an official track from the FIFA World Cup Album. Released on FIFA’s official channels on June 8, the track made waves globally, pulling in millions of views within days.

The ceremony kicked off 90 minutes before match time with a tribute by Indigenous singer William Prince. It then transitioned into the high-energy set by Sanjoy, Fatehi, and Vegedream that got the entire stadium cheering.

Beyond his music, Sanjoy used the massive platform to pay tribute to his heritage. He performed wearing a custom maroon jacket featuring embroidered symbols of Bangladesh on the right sleeve, including the Royal Bengal Tiger, the national flower (water lily/shapla), and the red-and-green flag circle. Clips of Sanjoy proudly pointing to these symbols during the performance quickly went viral on social media, earning widespread praise back home.

Born in the tea-rich region of Sreemangal in Moulvibazar, Sanjoy spent much of his childhood in Chattogram before moving to the United States with his family. Today, the LA-based artist has carved out a unique space in the international electronic music scene by fusing traditional Bengali elements with electronic sounds.

Despite his global career, Sanjoy maintains strong ties to his roots. He produced the theme song for the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), and has collaborated with leading South Asian and Bangladeshi artists, including Bollywood playback singer Shreya Ghoshal, as well as local icons Habib Wahid, Tahsan Khan, and Zefar Rahman.