Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Divine Ikubor, known professionally as Rema, has been announced as one of the global music stars who will perform at the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. The artist will take the stage at the Los Angeles Stadium alongside South African singer Tyla, American rapper Future, pop icon Katy Perry, Brazilian singer Anitta, and BLACKPINK member LISA.
FIFA Announces Star-Studded Lineup
FIFA revealed the lineup in a statement published on its official platform on Saturday. According to the football governing body, the 2026 tournament will commence with three separate opening ceremonies across the host nations. The first ceremony is scheduled for Mexico City on June 11, while Toronto and Los Angeles will host their events on June 12.
FIFA noted that the ceremonies will combine football, music, and entertainment to celebrate what it described as a historic tournament across North America. “For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, a new benchmark will be set as three spectacular opening ceremonies unfold across Mexico City (11 June), Toronto and Los Angeles (12 June), as Canada, Mexico and the United States come together to launch the greatest show on earth,” the statement read.
It added, “Global superstars Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema and Tyla will headline the celebrations in Los Angeles, with additional world-renowned artists still to be announced. Together, they will bring the sound of the FIFA World Cup 2026 to life for a global audience, delivering a high-energy spectacle that reflects the scale, ambition and cultural power of the tournament itself.”
Ceremony Details and FIFA President’s Remarks
FIFA also disclosed that the Los Angeles ceremony will begin 90 minutes before kick-off, encouraging fans to arrive early for pre-match entertainment and activities. FIFA President Gianni Infantino commented on the lineup, stating that it reflects the cultural diversity of the United States and the unifying power of music.
“This opening ceremony in Los Angeles represents the extraordinary scale of what the FIFA World Cup 2026 will become. 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, while showcasing the power of music to bring people together across the country,” Infantino said.
FIFA added that the ceremony will be produced in partnership with Balich Wonder Studio and will feature immersive storytelling, live performances, and large-scale visuals centered around the FIFA World Cup Trophy.
Tournament Overview
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 104 matches across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The competition will begin on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City and conclude with the final on July 19, 2026, at the New York-New Jersey Stadium.
Nigerian Artists on Football’s Biggest Stages
Over the years, Nigerian musicians have gained global recognition through performances at major football events, demonstrating how Afrobeats has evolved from a local sound into an international cultural movement. From the Africa Cup of Nations to the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League final ceremonies, several Nigerian artists have performed before millions of football fans worldwide.
In 2013, singer D’banj performed his hit song “Top of the World” during the closing ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, shortly before the Super Eagles defeated Burkina Faso to win the trophy. Davido later made history at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, becoming the first Nigerian artist to perform at the World Cup closing ceremony. He performed the official tournament soundtrack “Hayya Hayya” alongside AISHA and Trinidad Cardona.
Grammy winner Burna Boy also achieved a major career milestone in 2023, becoming the first African artist to perform at the UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul, Turkey. That same year, Rema performed his global hit “Calm Down” at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, becoming the first African artist to perform at the prestigious football award event.
At the 2022 FIFA Fan Festival in Qatar, Kizz Daniel thrilled football fans with a live performance of his hit song “Buga,” while reggae dancehall singer Patoranking also entertained supporters during the tournament. In 2024, Yemi Alade joined Ivory Coast’s Magic System and Egyptian singer Mohamed Ramadan to perform “Akwaba,” the official anthem of the Africa Cup of Nations opening ceremony in Côte d’Ivoire.
