Rema FIFA World Cup appearance confirmed as the Nigerian star joins global artists for the 2026 opening ceremony in Los Angeles
Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema has been named among an elite lineup of international music stars set to headline the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
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FIFA announced on Saturday that the singer, whose real name is Divine Ikubor, will perform at the Los Angeles Stadium ceremony alongside South African sensation Tyla, American rapper Future, pop star Katy Perry, Brazilian singer Anitta and BLACKPINK member LISA.
According to FIFA, the United States ceremony will take place on Friday, June 12, 2026, as part of a groundbreaking series of opening celebrations across the tournament’s three host nations.
Additional ceremonies are scheduled for June 11 in Mexico City and June 12 in Toronto.
In a statement, FIFA described the event as a spectacular fusion of football, music and entertainment designed to mark what it called a “historic summer” across North America.
“For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, a new benchmark will be set as three spectacular opening ceremonies unfold across Mexico City, Toronto and Los Angeles,” the organisation stated.
FIFA added that the global stars would deliver a powerful entertainment showcase reflecting the ambition and cultural influence of the tournament.
The governing body also revealed that the Los Angeles ceremony would begin 90 minutes before kick-off, with supporters encouraged to arrive early for entertainment activities and live performances.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the lineup symbolised the diversity and cultural energy of the United States.
“This opening ceremony in Los Angeles represents the extraordinary scale of what the FIFA World Cup 2026 will become,” Infantino said.
“The lineup of artists reflects the cultural diversity of the United States and the vibrancy of its many diasporas, while showcasing the power of music to bring people together across the country.”
FIFA also disclosed that the ceremony would be produced in partnership with Balich Wonder Studio and would feature immersive storytelling, large-scale visuals and performances centred around the FIFA World Cup Trophy.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature a record-breaking 104 matches across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
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The tournament will kick off on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City before concluding with the final on July 19, 2026, at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
Victory Emmanuel is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
