Nigerian Afrobeats star Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has been confirmed among the global music acts set to headline the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
South African singer Tyla will also perform at the ceremony alongside American rapper Future, pop star Katy Perry, Brazilian singer Anitta and BLACKPINK member LISA.
FIFA disclosed the development in a statement shared on its official platforms on Saturday, noting that the event would form part of a historic three-city opening celebration for the tournament.
According to FIFA, the United States ceremony will take place at the Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026, while separate opening events will also be held in Mexico City on June 11 and Toronto, Canada, on June 12.
The football governing body said the celebrations would combine football, music and entertainment to mark the beginning of what it described as a historic World Cup 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,” FIFA said.
It added that the lineup of artists would bring “the sound of the FIFA World Cup 2026 to life for a global audience.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the artists selected for the event reflected the cultural diversity of the United States and the unifying influence of music.
“This opening ceremony in Los Angeles represents the extraordinary scale of what the FIFA World Cup 2026 will become,” Infantino stated.
He added that the lineup showcased the vibrancy of global music and entertainment while highlighting the power of music to unite people from different backgrounds.
FIFA also revealed that the Los Angeles ceremony would begin 90 minutes before kick-off and would feature large-scale visuals, immersive storytelling and performances centred around the FIFA World Cup Trophy.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 104 matches across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The tournament will kick off on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City and conclude with the final on July 19, 2026, at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
