Nigerian Afrobeats star Divine Ikubor, known globally as Rema, lit up the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony with a dynamic performance alongside BLACKPINK’s Lisa and Brazilian pop powerhouse Anitta, as the trio debuted their collaborative single Goals on football’s biggest stage.

The showpiece at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles launched the tournament in the co-host United States with a burst of colour, choreography and cross-continental sound. Representing Africa, Asia and Latin America, the three artists turned the pitch into a global dance floor, fusing Afrobeats, K-pop and Latin pop in a tightly choreographed routine that matched the scale of the event.

Rema, dressed in a striking white hooded ensemble, commanded the vast arena as he traded verses and moves with Lisa and Anitta. Their performance of Goals, taken from the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album and produced by Grammy winner Cirkut with Bava and Pink Slip, underscored FIFA’s push to frame the tournament as a celebration of worldwide culture as much as sport.

The track’s upbeat tempo and aspirational lyrics translated seamlessly to the live setting, with the chorus echoing around the stadium as fans waved flags and phone lights. Rema’s closing verse, delivered in his signature Afrobeats-inflected rap cadence, doubled as a statement of intent, casting him as an unstoppable figure “scoring goals” in both music and life.

Lisa’s razor-sharp stage presence and Anitta’s commanding vocals added further star power, drawing loud cheers from sections of the crowd draped in South Korean and Brazilian colours. The performance quickly became the focal point of the ceremony, trending across social platforms as clips circulated worldwide.

They were joined on the bill by other global acts, including American rapper Future and South African singer Tyla, who reinforced the ceremony’s emphasis on contemporary, youth-driven sounds. The spectacle unfolded before the host nation’s opening match against Paraguay, setting an exuberant tone for the weeks of football to follow.

Rema’s moment in Los Angeles capped a landmark stretch for Nigerian music at the tournament. Just a day earlier in Mexico, Burna Boy had taken the stage with Colombian superstar Shakira for the live debut of Dai Dai, the official World Cup anthem, underscoring Afrobeats’ firm foothold at the centre of global pop culture.