Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema has been named to an all-star lineup of global music stars that will headline the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
South African artist Tyla, American rapper Future, pop queen Katy Perry, Brazilian singer Anitta, and BLACKPINK member LISA will all join Rema on stage at the Los Angeles Stadium.
FIFA confirmed this in a statement issued on Saturday via its official Twitter account.
According to the football governing organization, three opening ceremonies will be staged individually in the three host countries, with the United States celebrating on Friday, June 12, 2026.
The ceremonies will also be held on June 11 in Mexico City and June 12 in Toronto, Canada.
FIFA announced that the celebration will include football, music, and entertainment in what it termed a “historic summer” spanning North American countries.
“For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, a new benchmark will be set as three spectacular opening ceremonies unfold across Mexico City (11 June) and Toronto and Los Angeles (12 June) as Canada, Mexico, and the United States come together to launch the greatest show on earth,” the statement read.
It added, “Global superstars Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema, and Tyla will headline the celebrations in Los Angeles, with additional world-renowned artists still to be announced.
“Together, they will bring the sound of the FIFA World Cup 2026 to life for a global audience, delivering a high-energy spectacle that reflects the scale, ambition, and cultural power of the tournament itself,” it added.
The organization also indicated that the ceremony in Los Angeles would begin 90 minutes before kickoff, with supporters invited to arrive early for pre-match entertainment and activities.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that the lineup showed the ethnic diversity of the United States and the unifying force of music.
“This opening ceremony in Los Angeles represents the extraordinary scale of what the FIFA World Cup 2026 will become.
“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 across the country,” Infantino said.
FIFA also revealed that the ceremony would be organized in collaboration with Balich Wonder Studio and would include large-scale graphics, interactive narrative, and live performances themed around the FIFA World Cup Trophy.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will have a record 104 matches spread across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The tournament will begin on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City, and conclude with the final on July 19, 2026, at the New York-New Jersey Stadium.
