The 2026 World Cup will start in an unprecedented way. For the first time in the tournament’s history, FIFA organized three opening ceremonies, one in each host country: Mexico, Canada and the United States.
The official celebration that marks the start of the competition takes place on Thursday, June 11, in Mexico City. Before the opening game between Mexico and South Africa, at the Azteca Stadium, the musical program brings together big names in Latin and global music. Shakira and Burna Boy perform “Dai Dai”, the official song of the tournament, live.
The Mexican line-up also includes Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná and Tyla. The ceremony is scheduled to start at 11:30 am local time (1 pm in Mexico, 4 pm in Brasília), with the game starting whistle at 1 pm local time.
The following day, June 12th, it is Canada’s turn to host its party in Toronto, 90 minutes before the Canadian team faces Bosnia and Herzegovina. The show brings together Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Michael Bublé and other local and international artists.
Also on Friday, June 12, Los Angeles will host the third ceremony at SoFi Stadium, before the clash between the United States and Paraguay. The show features Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema and Tyla, promising a mix of pop, hip hop, K-pop and reggaeton.
Why three openings?
The 2026 edition will be the biggest in history, with 48 teams and 104 games spread across 16 host cities in the three countries. FIFA chose to give each host nation its own moment of celebration, ensuring that Mexico, Canada and the United States take individual prominence, although only the Mexican ceremony officially inaugurates the tournament.
The Azteca Stadium, which hosts the main opening, has already been the stage for historic finals in the 1970 and 1986 World Cups, reinforcing the symbolic weight of the event for Mexican and Latin American football.
What changes in practice for the fan
The three parties do not change the main game calendar, but expand the spectacle for those watching on TV or witnessing the event. The broadcast must be global, with a focus on the musical diversity that represents the three host countries and the world. Anitta’s presence at the American opening marks the strong Brazilian representation at the event.
The tournament continues until July 19, with the final scheduled for MetLife Stadium, in the United States.