Nigerian superstar Rema is set to share the stage with an impressive star-studded lineup at the grand opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The ceremony, produced in collaboration with Balich Wonder Studio, will take place on Friday, June 12, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, just before the United States’ opening match against Paraguay. Rema will perform alongside global heavyweights including Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA of BLACKPINK, and Tyla.
This appearance represents a major milestone for Rema and the Afrobeats genre. His smash hit “Calm Down” gained massive popularity and was widely played in stadiums and fan zones during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. It also shows the global influence of Afrobeats and the world’s increasing appetite for talented African artists.
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FIFA has planned two separate opening ceremonies for the 2026 tournament. While Rema and the star-studded line-up will perform in Los Angeles, South African singer Tyla will perform at a separate opening celebration in Mexico City at the historic Estadio Azteca, ahead of the first match of the tournament between Mexico and South Africa. She is also expected to join the main line-up later in Los Angeles.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the opening ceremony line-up as a reflection of the United States’ cultural diversity and global musical influence
“This opening ceremony in Los Angeles represents the extraordinary scale of what the FIFA World Cup 2026 will become. The line-up of artistes 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.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest edition in history, featuring a record 104 matches across 16 host cities from June 11 to July 19, 2026.