culture
December 31, 2025
From the World Cup to the return of Michaela Coel, 2026 promises to excite and bring joy
A very Long Wave-coded book, a landmark Nigerian film and more Black art, culture and sport on its way in the next 12 months
TL;DR
- The 2026 World Cup will feature an expanded 48 teams, with African nations like Ghana, Morocco, and Senegal participating.
- Curaçao will be the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup.
- Festivals across the diaspora include the Antigua Carnival, Somaliland's Hargeisa International Book Fair, and Jamaica's Calabash Literary Festival.
- New books set for release in 2026 cover themes of identity, race, political unrest, and the Black diaspora, including works by Olufemi Terry, Ashley Clark, and Molefi Kete Asante.
- Notable film and TV releases include Michaela Coel's 'Mother Mary' and 'First Day on Earth,' and the Nigerian film 'My Father's Shadow.'
- Music events include Bad Bunny's tour in South America and the V&A East museum's inaugural exhibition 'The Music Is Black' in London.
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