The 2026 World Cup officially starts this Thursday (11) with several innovations in the tournament. The expanded format, the greater number of teams and new rules mark the competition, which will be the first hosted by three countries — United States, Mexico and Canada — and also the first with three distinct opening ceremonies.
Before the main ceremonies, FIFA held a major countdown event on Wednesday (10) with simultaneous attractions in the three host countries.
Ceremony in Mexico
The first ceremony is scheduled for 2:30 pm (Brasília time), an hour and a half before the opening game between the teams of Mexico and South Africa. The event takes place at the Azteca Stadium, in Mexico City.
Among the confirmed artists are Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná and Tyla. Shakira and Burna Boy will also perform the official song of the tournament.
TV Globo and ge will broadcast the Mexican ceremony from 2:20 pm.
Ceremony in Canada
The day after the opening match, it is time for the Canadian ceremony. The event will take place at BMO Field, in Toronto, an hour and a half before the match between the Canadian national team and Bosnia and Herzegovina, scheduled for 4pm (Brasília time).
Headliners include Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Elyanna, Jessie Reyez, Michael Bublé, Nora Fatehi, Sanjoy, Vegedream and William Prince.
Ceremony in the USA
Following the same pattern, the American ceremony begins an hour and a half before the United States’ debut against Paraguay, scheduled for 10pm (Brasília time). The location is SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
The presentations are by Katy Perry, Future, Lisa, Rema, Tyla and the Brazilian Anitta.
When will the Brazil games be?
Check out when Brazil takes the field below:
- Brazil x Morocco — 1st round: June 13 (Saturday), at 7pm Brasília (6pm local time), at the MetLife Stadium, in New Jersey-New York/United States.
- Brazil x Haiti — 2nd round: June 19 (Friday), at 9:30 pm Brasília (8:30 pm local time), at the Lincoln Financial Field Stadium, in Philadelphia/United States.
- Scotland x Brazil — 3rd round: June 24th (Wednesday), at 7pm Brasília (6pm local time), at the Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami/United States.
If they advance as group leader, the Brazilian team will face the second place in Group F (Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia and Sweden) in the round of 16 and remain in the United States throughout the knockout phase.