Burna Boy, Rema Join Global Stars For FIFA’s First-Ever Triple World Cup Opening
Afrobeat stars Burna Boy and Rema feature in FIFA’s three-city opening ceremonies spanning Mexico, Canada and US.
Afrobeat stars Burna Boy and Rema feature in FIFA’s three-city opening ceremonies spanning Mexico, Canada and US.
Nigerian music stars Rema and Burna Boy will perform at the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremonies as FIFA prepares to stage three separate opening events for the first time in the tournament’s history.
The pair are among a star-studded line-up unveiled for the ceremonies, which will take place across host nations Mexico, Canada and the United States. Burna Boy and Colombian singer Shakira were recently added to perform the official World Cup song, “Dai Dai”, while Rema will feature in the United States ceremony alongside a host of international acts.
The first opening ceremony will be held on Thursday at Mexico City Stadium, officially known as Banorte Stadium, before the first of three opening matches. Two further ceremonies will follow simultaneously on Friday at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and BMO Field in Toronto.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “Starting with Mexico City and continuing the next days with Toronto and Los Angeles, these ceremonies will bring together music, culture and football in a way that reflects both the individuality of each nation and the unity that defines this tournament.”
Canada’s ceremony will feature performers including Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez and others. The United States line-up includes Katy Perry, Lisa of Blackpink, Anitta, Future, Rema and Tyla, while Mexico’s performers include Alejandro Fernández, J Balvin, Maná, Danny Ocean, Los Ángeles Azules, Belinda and Lila Downs.
FIFA said the opening celebrations will include a 360-degree immersive experience designed to engage supporters inside the stadiums. Extra-large national flags and on-pitch displays will form part of the spectacle, while starting players and substitutes will gather on a centre-circle banner during the national anthems.
All three ceremonies are expected to begin about 90 minutes before kick-off, following a format similar to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The three-city opening format marks a departure from previous World Cup tournaments, which traditionally featured a single opening ceremony. The expanded programme is designed to showcase the culture of each host nation while highlighting the scale of the first 48-team World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States.
