The 2026 World Cup started this Thursday June 11 after millions of fans around the world counted the minutes for the ball to start rolling in the Mexico City Stadiumwhere the Mexican team defeated the team of South Africa in the opening match of the World Cup before more than 80 thousand spectators.
However, before the teams repeated the opening match of the World Cup in South Africa 2010fans enjoyed the expected ceremony opening ceremony in the Mexican capital, since, for the first time in the history of the World Cups, there will be three opening ceremonies, one in each host country: Mexico, USA. and Canada.
The opening ceremony had to be divided into three acts due to the nature unpublished of the 2026 World Cup, organized by three countries. The first took place this Thursday, June 11 at the Mexico City Stadium. A day later the Canadian ceremonies will be held, in torontoand from the United States, in Los Angeles, California.
However, the three inaugurations will share some traditional elements, such as parades of flags, protocol acts and the display of the official tournament ball, but each one will have a own visual and cultural identitysince the general production is in charge of the Italian Marco Balichresponsible for Olympic ceremonies.
Artists at the US inauguration
On Friday, June 12, it will be the turn of USAthe country that will host the majority of the tournament’s matches, with 78 matches in 11 cities in its territory. There, the ceremony will take place in Los Angeles, California ahead of USA’s debut against Paraguayand the poster will be headed by Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, Lisa, Rema and Tyla.
The US inaugural ceremony in California will take place at the SoFi Stadium, a multipurpose venue with capacity for almost 70 thousand spectators, and is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. of Guatemala and Mexico (4:30 p.m. in Los Angeles, 6:30 p.m. in Chicago and 7:30 p.m. in Toronto) and will include a show by lights.
Read more: Eight World Cups in a row without losing! This is Mexico’s streak in its World Cup debuts
According to the American network CNN, the actor Jason Sudeikisprotagonist of the series Ted Lasso and ambassador of the 2026 World Cup, will be in charge of welcoming the opening ceremony in the United States, where the most recognized artist of the concert will be the singer Katy Perry, who will be accompanied by Lisa.
Likewise, before the game the South African star will be introduced Tylathe afrobeat musician Rowthe Brazilian Anitta and the American rapper Futurewho will give the stage to the Paraguayan duo Purahei Soul, in charge of interpreting the anthem of Paraguayand the country duo Dan-Shaywho will perform the United States anthem.
Ceremony in Los Angeles
“The list of artists reflects the cultural diversity of the United States and the vitality of its numerous diasporas, highlighting the country’s great influence on music, the entertainment and pop culture, while demonstrating the power of musicians to unite people across the country,” he added. Gianni Infantinopresident of FIFA.
“This opening ceremony in Los Angeles represents the extraordinary magnitude of what the 2026 World Cup will be,” concluded the president of the International Federation of Association Football, who said that California, considered the world capital of entertainment, will bring together sport, music and fun on a global stage.
The world’s game reaches its biggest stage in the USA 🇺🇸
The United States takes center stage as football, music, and culture ignite the #FIFAWorldCup 🏆🎶🎆
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) May 9, 2026