Rema, Lisa, Anitta shine at World Cup 2026 opening ceremony

Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema delivered one of the standout moments of the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony, joining Lisa and Anitta for the live debut of their collaborative single, Goals.

The performance took place at SoFi Stadium on Friday night and officially launched the tournament atmosphere in the co-host United States with a colourful showcase of global music and culture.

Bringing together Africa, Asia and Latin America on one stage, the trio blended Afrobeats, K-pop and Latin pop into a high-energy performance designed to match the scale of football’s biggest competition.

In footage from the Hollywood-inspired ceremony, Mr Ikubor appeared in a bold white hooded outfit and took centre stage as he performed alongside the two international stars.

The song Goals, released in May as part of the official FIFA World Cup 2026 album, was produced by Grammy-winning producer Cirkut alongside Bava and Pink Slip. The record combines multiple global influences and quickly gained attention for its uplifting and celebratory sound.

Rema’s closing verse brought an Afrobeats-driven rap element to the track, with lyrics projecting confidence, ambition and global success through the recurring theme of “scoring goals” both in music and life.

Other performers featured during the ceremony included Future and Tyla.

The ceremony was staged ahead of the United States’ opening fixture against Paraguay.

Rema’s appearance also came shortly after fellow Nigerian star Burna Boy joined Shakira in Mexico for the live debut of the tournament anthem, Dai Dai.