Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema is set to take center stage at one of football’s biggest spectacles, headlining the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony in Los Angeles a confirmation that has sent ripples of excitement across the continent.
FIFA officially unveiled that the “Calm Down” singer will perform on June 12 alongside an electrifying global lineup that includes Katy Perry, Future, Tyla, Anitta, and K-pop icon Lisa — a testament to the tournament’s ambition to mirror the diversity of the beautiful game itself.
In what marks a bold departure from tradition, FIFA president Gianni Infantino revealed that the 2026 edition will break new ground by staging three simultaneous opening ceremonies across all three host nations. The celebrations kick off on June 11 at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where South African sensation Tyla will share the stage with J Balvin, Maná, Alejandro Fernández, and Belinda ahead of the Mexico versus South Africa opener.
The following day, June 12, BMO Field in Toronto becomes the backdrop for Canada’s ceremony, featuring homegrown legends Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette alongside Alessia Cara and Nora Fatehi, before Canada take on Bosnia and Herzegovina. Los Angeles will then steal the spotlight with the marquee celebration later that evening.
“This opening ceremony in Los Angeles represents the extraordinary scale of what the FIFA World Cup 2026 will become,” Infantino said. He added that the artist lineup speaks to the cultural richness of the United States and its many diasporas, with music serving as the universal language that binds the global football family together.
For Rema, the booking is yet another jewel in a rapidly growing crown. The Benin City-born artist previously performed at the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris and followed in the footsteps of fellow Nigerian superstar Davido, who made history as the first African act to perform at a World Cup final during Qatar 2022.
Nigeria’s cultural fingerprints are stamped even deeper into this tournament. Burna Boy has joined global icon Shakira on the official World Cup anthem, “Dai Dai,” due for full release on May 14 — further cementing Nigeria’s status as a creative powerhouse on the world stage.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 and will be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches spread across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Defending champions Argentina, who triumphed over France in a dramatic penalty shootout in Qatar, will be looking to retain their crown. The grand finale takes place at MetLife Stadium on July 19, where a halftime show in partnership with Global Citizen promises a fitting close to football’s greatest celebration.
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