2026 FIFA World Cup to hold three opening ceremonies featuring stars

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature three opening ceremonies, where each of the host nations – Mexico, the United States, and Canada – will participate in star-studded celebrations, UNN reports, citing AFP.

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As confirmed by the world football governing body (FIFA) on Friday, the ceremonies will feature global music stars including Katy Perry, Future, Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, J Balvin, and Lisa.

Mexico will kick off the celebrations 90 minutes before the tournament's opening match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11 at the Azteca Stadium, renamed Mexico City Stadium for the duration of the tournament.

The show will feature Colombian megastar J Balvin, the multi-Grammy-winning Mexican rock band Maná, and pop star Alejandro Fernández, son of the legendary ranchera king Vicente Fernández.

Mexican-born Latin pop princess Belinda and singer-songwriter Lila Downs, along with South African singer-songwriter Tyla and the traditional Mexican cumbia group Los Ángeles Azules, will also join the project.

"The whole world will share this moment, and so this tournament begins," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

"Starting in Mexico City and continuing in the following days in Toronto and Los Angeles, these ceremonies will unite music, culture, and football in a way that reflects both the individuality of each nation and the unity that defines this tournament," Infantino said. "It is a powerful way to start a truly global celebration."

On June 12 in Toronto, Canada will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in their first match of the tournament, with performing artists including Morissette, Bublé, Alessia Cara, Elyanna, Jessie Reyez, and Nora Fatehi.

Organizers promise a "journey through Canada, where the countdown will unfold through moments reflecting the country from coast to coast."

Later that day, the United States will begin its campaign with a match against Paraguay in Los Angeles, featuring another massive sports crossover for pop megastar Perry, who headlined the Super Bowl halftime show in 2015.

She will be joined by rapper Future, Lisa from the K-pop group Blackpink, Brazilian superstar Anitta, Rema, and Tyla, along with other artists to be announced later, FIFA said.

"This opening ceremony in Los Angeles demonstrates the extraordinary scale of what the FIFA World Cup 2026 will become," Infantino said.

"The lineup of artists reflects the cultural diversity of the United States and the vibrancy of its many diasporas, highlighting the country's rich influence on music, entertainment, and pop culture, while demonstrating the power of music to unite people across the country," he said.

Other global artists set to spectacularly launch this massive, nearly six-week football spectacle include Venezuelan reggaeton star Danny Ocean and Los Angeles-based Bangladeshi-American DJ Sanjoy.

Organizers state that fans will have an "active role" in the show and are encouraging them to arrive early.

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