Nigerian superstar Rema has been confirmed as one of the headline performers for the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles, marking another major global milestone for Afrobeats.
FIFA announced that the singer will share the stage with an international lineup that includes Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, and South African star Tyla, with more artists expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
The ceremony is scheduled to take place on June 12 at Los Angeles Stadium, beginning 90 minutes before kick-off at 16:30 local time.
This year’s tournament will make history as the first FIFA World Cup to host opening ceremonies across three countries. Mexico City will stage the first event on June 11, while Toronto and Los Angeles will follow with additional ceremonies on June 12.
For Rema, the booking places him among a select group of African artists to ever perform on one of the world’s biggest entertainment and sporting platforms. Alongside Tyla, he represents the continent’s growing influence in global pop culture and music.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted that diversity in the official statement announcing the lineup.
“The lineup of artists reflects the cultural diversity of the United States and the vibrancy of its many diasporas,” Infantino said, “highlighting the nation’s rich influence on music, entertainment and pop culture, while showcasing the power of music to bring people together.”
The opening night in Los Angeles will also feature the United States taking on Paraguay later that evening at the same venue.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is already being described as the biggest edition in the competition’s history. For the first time, 48 nations will compete, with a record 104 matches scheduled across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The tournament will run from June 11 through July 19, culminating with the final at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Rema’s inclusion in the opening ceremony further underlines the growing global reach of Afrobeats, as African artists continue to move from chart success into some of the world’s most visible cultural stages.
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