Rema Joins Star-Studded Lineup for 2026 FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony
Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has been selected to perform at the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. FIFA confirmed the news via an official Instagram post, placing the “Calm Down” singer among an elite group of global artists set to kick off the tournament. The ceremony, scheduled to take place in Los Angeles, is designed to showcase the immense scale of the first-ever 48-team World Cup hosted across North America.
The confirmed lineup for the Los Angeles festivities includes American rapper Future, pop icon Katy Perry, Brazilian singer Anitta, South African star Tyla, and K-pop sensation LISA. According to FIFA, this diverse collection of talent was chosen because it “reflects the cultural diversity of the United States and the vibrance of its many diasporas.” The governing body emphasized that the event will celebrate “the power of music to bring people together across the country” as fans from around the world gather for the opening matches.
This invitation marks another historic milestone for Rema, further solidifying his reputation as one of Africa’s most influential musical exports on the global stage. His inclusion follows the recent unveiling of the tournament’s official theme song, ‘Dai Dai,’ by Colombian superstar Shakira, which features fellow Nigerian Grammy winner Burna Boy. With both Rema and Burna Boy playing central roles in the tournament’s musical identity, Nigeria’s Afrobeats genre continues to dominate the world’s most prestigious sporting platforms.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is set to begin on June 11, 2026. While Rema will headline the celebrations in Los Angeles, the tournament’s first official match will take place at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. FIFA has hinted that more world-renowned artists will be announced in the coming weeks, promising a series of opening ceremonies that will capture the energy and excitement of the three host nations.
