Rema set to perform at World Cup kickoff event

Afrobeats sensation Divine Ikubor, known to fans as Rema, is set to take center stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup's opening ceremony in Los Angeles, a move confirmed by FIFA, as Nigeria's music scene prepares to make its mark on the world's biggest football tournament despite the Super Eagles not being part of the competition.

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Rema, the mastermind behind the hit song "Calm Down", will share the stage with a star-studded lineup including pop icon Katy Perry, Grammy-winning rapper Future, South African singer Tyla, Brazilian artist Anitta, and Thai rapper Lisa of BLACKPINK on June 12.

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In a groundbreaking shift from tradition, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has announced that the 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature three simultaneous opening ceremonies across the three host nations, rather than a single event.

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The festivities will kick off on June 11 at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, where Tyla will perform alongside Latin music legends J Balvin, Mana, Alejandro Fernandez, and Belinda, ahead of Mexico's opening match against South Africa.

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The following day, Toronto's BMO Field will play host to Canada's ceremony, featuring performances by Michael Buble, Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, and Nora Fatehi, before Canada takes on Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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Later that day, Los Angeles will take the spotlight with its headline ceremony, solidifying its reputation as the entertainment capital of the world.

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According to Infantino, the Los Angeles opening ceremony embodies the extraordinary scope of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a lineup of artists that reflects the cultural diversity of the United States and its vibrant diasporas.

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Rema's performance marks another milestone in his remarkable global journey, which includes a previous performance at the 2023 Ballon d'Or ceremony at Paris's Theatre du Chatelet.

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He follows in the footsteps of fellow Nigerian artist Davido, who made history as the first African artist to perform at a World Cup final when he took the stage at the 2022 tournament's closing ceremony in Qatar.

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Nigeria's influence will also be felt through the official tournament anthem, "Dai Dai", a collaboration between Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy, and Colombian-born pop icon Shakira, set for full release on May 14.

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A sneak peek of the track was made available last Thursday, giving fans a glimpse of what's to come.

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, will be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

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Argentina enters the tournament as defending champions, having defeated France on penalties in the 2022 final in Qatar, and the final match will be held at MetLife Stadium on July 19.

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A halftime show is also in the works, as part of a first-of-its-kind partnership with Global Citizen, in a style reminiscent of the Super Bowl.