Why are there three opening ceremonies for the 2026 World Cup and who is performing at each?

Jun 10, 2026 - 20:00

The stage is set for a festival of football this summer, with a World Cup like no other just hours away.

The biggest edition in history – featuring 48 teams – will officially kick off on Thursday, with the USA, Canada and Mexico joint hosting the tournament in a unique first.

General view of Mexico City Stadium on May 20, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. The Mexico City Stadium, officially named Estadio Banorte or better known by its former name, Estadio Azteca, was designed by architects Pedro Ramírez Vazquez and Rafael Mijares Alcerreca. The stadium will host the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking its third World Cup appearance. — Mexico will kick off the 2026 World Cup at their 83,000-capacity Estadio Azteca

For the first time ever, this year’s finals will be hosted by multiple countries, as Mexico kickstart the party by welcoming South Africa to the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City for their Group A opener, live on talkSPORT.

Before a ball is kicked though, there will be a traditional opening ceremony to signal the start of the 2026 festival of football.

But this won’t be the only time fans are treated to a pre-match performance, with three host nations meaning only one thing.

The USA, Canada and Mexico will each hold an opening ceremony for their first games of the tournament, with the trio all calling in a host of A-listers to make it a night to remember for fans.

So, when are each country’s World Cup curtain-raisers, and who will be performing at them?

Mexico’s opening ceremony

As mentioned, Mexico will be the first of the three host nations to stage a World Cup opening ceremony.

It will take place at 6:30pm UK time on Thursday, June 11.

This comes ahead of El Tricolor’s 8pm kick-off against South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium, better known as the Estadio Azteca.

And two global superstars will kick-off the show, with pop royalty Shakira and Nigerian singer Burna Boy set to headline the spectacle.

The pair will be performing the 2026 World Cup’s official tournament song, ‘Dai Dai’, which they wrote together.

Burna Boy at the 2025 Lionesses parade — Burna Boy also performed at England’s Lionesses’ Euro 2025 victory parade

The ceremony will also celebrate the best of Latin American talent, as a number of additional performers joining in.

Mexican band Mana will perform, alongside popular singers Alejandro Fernandez and J Balvin, as well as Belinda, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, Los Angeles Azules, and Tyla.

Canada’s opening ceremony

After Mexico’s big moment, Canada will then take centre stage 24 hours later.

Their opening ceremony also takes place at 6:30pm UK time, but on Friday 12 June.

This will be followed by their World Cup opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina at BMO Field in Toronto, with kick-off at 8pm.

Canada have also pulled out all the stops to provide a memorable pre-match show, with music icon Michael Buble leading the line-up.

BMO Field, Toronto — Canada will host 13 World Cup games in total, starting at Toronto’s BMO Field

He will be joined by other hugely popular singers from the country, including 90s star Alanis Morisette and Alessia Cara.

Palestinian singer Elyanna will also perform, while French artist Vegedream who is best known for his song ‘Ramenez la coupe a la maison’ which celebrated France’s World Cup victory in 2018.

Completing Canada’s list of performers are singers Jessie Reyez, Nora Fatehi, Sanjoy and William Prince.

The USA’s opening ceremony

Canada’s opening ceremony will be swiftly followed by the USA, who put on the third and final spectacle just hours later.

There will be a later start-time here, with the show getting underway at 12:30am UK time on Saturday, June 13.

It comes ahead of the USA’s Group D opener with Paraguay, which takes place at 2am at the SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles.

Katy Perry is one of the USA’s top-performing artists in the 21st century

SoFi will host eight games at the World Cup — The SoFi Stadium will host eight games at the World Cup, and is the newest stadium being used this summer

And a local hero will headline this opening ceremony, with California native and pop megastar Katy Perry the headline act.

Joining Perry is US rapper Future, while South African artist Tyla will make her second appearance at the tournament, who will have also performed in Mexico before then.

Thai-born star Lisa from K-pop band Blackpink, Nigerian artist Rema and Brazilian singer Anitta are also on the bill.

Adding to the pre-match festivities, music duo Dan + Shay will sing United States national anthem before kick-off, alongside Purahei Soul, performing Paraguay’s national anthem.