FIFA has already announced the dates, times and part of the shows planned for the start of the tournament. Mexico will be the first country to open this series of ceremonies, which will continue in Canada and the United States.
The first will be held on Thursday, June 11 at the Mexico City Stadium, formerly known as Azteca Stadium. For Guatemala it will begin at 11:30 a.m., 90 minutes before the opening match between Mexico and South Africa, scheduled for 1:00 p.m. The stadium doors will open at 9:00 a.m.
The Mexican venue will become the only stadium in the world to host the opening ceremonies of three different World Cups: 1970, 1986 and 2026.
The show will be inspired by Mexican papel picado and will pay tribute to cultural expressions and traditions of the country. Among the announced artists are Shakira, Burna Boy, Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná and Tyla.
The next day, Friday, June 12, it will be Canada’s turn. The ceremony in Toronto will begin at 2:30 p.m. Guatemala time. The show will highlight Canadian cultural diversity and will feature the participation of Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez and Elyanna, among other artists. Later, Canada will face Bosnia and Herzegovina.
That same day, at 5:30 p.m. Guatemala time, Los Angeles will close the opening cycle at SoFi Stadium. The show will include Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, Blackpink member LISA, Rema and Tyla. The match scheduled for that day will be between the United States and Paraguay.
“The FIFA World Cup is a moment that the world shares, and that starts with the way we inaugurate it,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in statements published by the organization.
“Starting in Mexico City and continuing 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. It is a powerful way to begin a truly global celebration,” he added.