Nigerian Afrobeat star Rema has been confirmed to perform at the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Los Angeles on June 12, joining a headline lineup that includes Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, and South African singer Tyla.
The ceremony will be held at the Los Angeles Stadium, beginning 90 minutes before kick-off at 4:30 p.m. local time. It marks one of three opening ceremonies FIFA is staging across the tournament’s three host nations, the first in World Cup history. Mexico City hosts the opening event on June 11, with Toronto and Los Angeles following on June 12.
Rema’s appearance places him among a small group of African artists to perform on one of the largest stages in global sport and entertainment. Tyla, the South African singer who broke through internationally with “Water,” is the only other African act confirmed in the current lineup. Their inclusion reflects the growing commercial and cultural footprint of African music on the world stage.
“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,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.
Mexico will get the party started on June 11 at Mexico City Stadium, featuring Colombian star J Balvin, Mexican rock band Mana, and pop star Alejandro Fernandez, among others. Canada’s ceremony in Toronto on June 12 will feature Alanis Morissette, Michael Buble, Alessia Cara, and others.
The United States opens the tournament against Paraguay at the same venue later that evening. This edition of the World Cup is the largest in the competition’s history, with a record 104 matches scheduled across 16 host cities, running from June 11 through to the final on July 19. The expanded format features 48 nations competing for the first time.
