The 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin with three separate opening ceremonies across its host nations of Mexico, Canada and the United States, FIFA has announced, with an international lineup of musicians set to headline the celebrations.
The tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the three countries, will start in Mexico City on 11 June before moving to Toronto and Los Angeles the following day. FIFA said the ceremonies would combine football, music and national culture in what it described as a “global celebration”.
Among the performers confirmed are Katy Perry, Future, Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, J Balvin and Lisa, alongside a range of artists representing each host nation.
Mexico will stage the first ceremony 90 minutes before the tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa at the Azteca Stadium, which will be known as Mexico City Stadium during the competition.
The Mexican event will feature Colombian singer J Balvin, Mexican rock band Maná and singer Alejandro Fernández. Other performers include Belinda, Lila Downs, South African singer Tyla and Los Angeles Azules, known for their traditional Mexican cumbia music.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the ceremonies would reflect both the individuality of the host nations and the shared nature of the tournament.
“The world will share this moment and that’s how this tournament will begin,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a statement.
“Starting with Mexico City and continuing the next days with Toronto and Los Angeles, these ceremonies will bring together 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 begin a truly global celebration.”
Canada’s opening match will take place in Toronto on 12 June, where the national side will play Bosnia and Herzegovina. FIFA said the ceremony there would showcase a “journey across Canada” through performances intended to reflect the country “from coast to coast”.
Canadian artists Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé and Alessia Cara are among those scheduled to perform. They will be joined by Elyanna, Jessie Reyez and Nora Fatehi.
Later on the same day, the United States will begin their World Cup campaign against Paraguay in Los Angeles with another large-scale entertainment event.
Pop singer Katy Perry, who previously headlined the Super Bowl halftime show in 2015, is among the leading names announced for the ceremony. She will appear alongside rapper Future, Lisa from K-pop group Blackpink, Brazilian singer Anitta, Nigerian artist Rema and South African performer Tyla.
FIFA said more artists for the Los Angeles event would be announced at a later stage.
Infantino described the US ceremony as a reflection of the country’s cultural diversity and influence on global entertainment.
“This opening ceremony in Los Angeles represents 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 nation’s rich influence on music, entertainment and pop culture, while showcasing the power of music to bring people together across the country.”
Additional performers confirmed for the wider tournament celebrations include Venezuelan reggaeton singer Danny Ocean and Los Angeles-based DJ Sanjoy.
Organisers also said supporters attending the matches would play an important role in the ceremonies and encouraged fans to arrive at stadiums early.
In a statement accompanying the announcement, FIFA said the events across the three countries would be linked by a common theme.
“Across time zones and borders, the celebrations are united by one central idea: a shared heartbeat,” FIFA’s statement said.
