Nigerian music star Rema will perform at the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles after FIFA confirmed the entertainment lineup for the tournament launch across North America.
The Afrobeats singer, born Divine Ikubor, joins an international cast that includes Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA and Tyla for the ceremony scheduled for June 12 at Los Angeles Stadium.
Rema adds to growing global football presence
Rema’s appearance continues his growing involvement in major football events on the international stage. The Nigerian singer previously performed at the Ballon d’Or 2023 in Paris, while his global hit records have further expanded his international influence.
Although Nigeria will not feature at the World Cup, the country’s entertainment industry will still maintain a strong presence during the tournament. Fellow Nigerian star Burna Boy also contributed to the tournament’s official song alongside Shakira.
FIFA confirms historic multi-city opening ceremonies
FIFA also confirmed that the 2026 edition will feature three separate opening ceremonies for the first time in tournament history. The celebrations will begin on June 11 in Mexico City before continuing in Toronto and Los Angeles the following day.
Gianni Infantino described the Los Angeles event as a reflection of the tournament’s global cultural influence.
“This opening ceremony in Los Angeles represents the extraordinary scale of what the FIFA World Cup 2026 will become,” Infantino said.
“The lineup of artists reflects the cultural diversity of the United States and the vibrancy of its many diasporas, highlighting the nation’s rich influence on music, entertainment and pop culture.”
Biggest World Cup in history
The 2026 tournament will become the largest World Cup ever staged, featuring 48 nations and 104 matches across host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The competition will begin on June 11 at Estadio Azteca before concluding with the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium.
The United States will face Paraguay in the opening match in Los Angeles as FIFA launches a tournament expected to attract millions of fans worldwide.
