Afrobeat singer Rema and Tyla are among the biggest names confirmed for the entertainment lineup of the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening celebrations, according to announcements shared by FIFA on Saturday.
The tournament, which will be jointly hosted by United States, Canada and Mexico, is set to begin on June 11, 2026, and FIFA says this will be the first World Cup to feature three separate opening ceremonies across the host nations.
For the Los Angeles celebration on June 12, FIFA confirmed performances from:
- Rema
- Tyla
- Future
- Katy Perry
- Anitta
- LISA
Some reports also mentioned Shakira and DJ Sanjoy as part of the wider FIFA music rollout, although FIFA’s main statement specifically listed the six artists above for Los Angeles.
The ceremony is expected to take place at the Los Angeles Stadium, widely reported as SoFi Stadium, and will begin about 90 minutes before kickoff.
FIFA says there will be a Mexico City opening celebration on June 11, 2026 and then Toronto and Los Angeles ceremonies on June 12, 2026.
The Mexico City event could include performances from:
- J Balvin
- Belinda
- Alejandro Fernández
- Lila Downs
- Danny Ocean
- Los Ángeles Azules, and
- Maná
FIFA President Gianni Infantino explained that the lineup was to show the diversity of the United States and the global nature of the tournament.
FIFA also confirmed the ceremonies will be produced with Balich Wonder Studio, the company known for large-scale international event productions. The shows are expected to include immersive storytelling, giant visuals and performances centered around the World Cup trophy.
For Rema, the FIFA announcement adds to a major international run over the last two years. The singer has continued expanding globally after the success of “Calm Down,” with Afrobeats becoming more visible in worldwide sports and entertainment events.
For Tyla, the World Cup slot is another major global stage after her Grammy success and the international rise of “Water.”
Katy Perry confirmed her appearance herself through Instagram, joking with fans using a reference to her song “The One That Got Away.”
Meanwhile, Shakira is reportedly returning to FIFA-related music activity with a new song titled “Dai Dai,” featuring Burna Boy. Reports say the track is scheduled for release on May 14 and was teased with footage filmed at Maracanã Stadium.
Shakira’s 2010 World Cup anthem “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” remains one of FIFA’s most recognizable songs, so her return has already generated strong fan reactions online.
About the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the biggest in tournament history:
- 48 teams
- 104 matches
- 16 host cities
- Tournament dates: June 11 to July 19, 2026
The opening match will be in Mexico City, while the final is scheduled for New York New Jersey Stadium.
