Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Rema has been confirmed as one of the headline performers for the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles.
FIFA announced that the “Calm Down” crooner will take centre stage on June 12 alongside an international lineup that includes Katy Perry, Future, Tyla, Anitta and Lisa.
In a major shift from previous editions, FIFA President Gianni Infantino revealed that the 2026 World Cup will kick off with three separate opening ceremonies across the host countries simultaneously.
The celebrations will begin on June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Tyla will perform alongside J Balvin, Maná, Alejandro Fernández and Belinda before Mexico’s opening match against South Africa.
On June 12, Canada’s ceremony will take place at BMO Field in Toronto with performances from Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara and Nora Fatehi before Canada face Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Los Angeles will host the main headline ceremony later that same day, with Rema expected to play a leading role in the entertainment showcase.
Speaking on FIFA’s official platform, Infantino described the Los Angeles ceremony as a reflection of the tournament’s global scale and cultural diversity.
He noted that the selection of performers highlights the influence of different cultures and diasporas in shaping music, entertainment and pop culture, while also demonstrating music’s ability to unite people worldwide.
Rema’s inclusion adds another milestone to his growing international success. The singer previously performed at the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris and became one of the few African stars to grace the FIFA World Cup stage after compatriot Davido performed at the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar.
Nigeria’s presence at the tournament also extends to the official World Cup soundtrack, as Burna Boy recently collaborated with Shakira on the official song titled “Dai Dai,” scheduled for release on May 14.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19 and is set to become the biggest edition in the competition’s history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Defending champions Argentina national football team will enter the tournament after defeating France national football team on penalties in the 2022 final.
The tournament final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium, where FIFA is also planning a special halftime show in collaboration with Global Citizen.
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