The 2026 FIFA World Cup is about to get underway, marking the first time the tournament is jointly hosted by three distinct countries. To celebrate the unique cultural identity of each host nation, FIFA has arranged a trio of individual opening ceremonies. The first ceremony took place in Mexico on June 11 at the Estadio Azteca.
Pop legend Shakira and Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy headlined the lively and vibrant affair in the Mexican capital. Shakira, known for her hit 'Waka Waka', debuted the official tournament song 'Dai Dai'. The set list also included performances by Andrea Bocelli, David Guetta, and Burna Boy.
The second ceremony will kick off on June 12 at Toronto Stadium, also known as BMO Field, at 1:30 pm ET. This event celebrates all things Canada as the nation hosts a men's World Cup match for the first time. Legendary Canadian performers Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette are set to spearhead the pre-match entertainment, alongside global acts including Elyanna and Nora Fatehi. The ceremony will take place 90 minutes before Canada's group stage match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The United States will complete the trio with its own glittering spectacular, also on June 12 at 7:30 pm ET (12:30 am UK time on Saturday morning). This third and final ceremony will take place at Los Angeles Stadium in California, often called SoFi Stadium. International pop sensation Katy Perry, who is also the partner of former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, is poised to top the bill for the American festivities alongside K-pop sensation LISA and rapper Future. Their shows will be followed by the eagerly awaited United States opener against Paraguay, which gets underway at 9 pm ET on Friday or 2 am on Saturday morning in the UK.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is slated to run from June 11 to July 19. This groundbreaking tournament represents the biggest expansion in World Cup history, showcasing 48 national teams competing across a total of 104 matches throughout 16 host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
