The 2026 World Cup is merely a few weeks away and now it has been announced that we will be able to enjoy not just one, but three opening ceremonies.
FIFA confirmed on Friday, May 8 that each of the host countries will have their own celebration, with a lot of stars and their performances for us to look forward to.
Singers like J Balvin, Katy Perry, Future, Michael Buble and Lisa, amongst others, will kick us off into this major sport’s event that everyone has been looking forward to for four years.
Mexico up first
Mexico will be the first country to show-off their party skills.
Latin singer J Balvin, the Mexican rock band Mana, pop star Alejandro Fernandez, pop singer Belinda, Lila Downs, Tyla and famous ranchero king Vicente Fernandez will kick us off musically before the actual kick-off of the tournament’s first match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11 in the Azteca Stadium, which has been renamed Mexico City Stadium for this occasion.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a statement: “The world will share this moment and that’s how this tournament will begin.
“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.
“It is a powerful way to begin a truly global celebration.”
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Canada’s time to shine
On June 12 it is then Canada’s turn: they will face Bosnia Herzegovina in their first match taking place in Toronto.
But before the football men show off what they can do, stars like Morissette, Buble, Alessia Cara, Elyanna, Jessie Reyez and Nora Fatehi will go first and perform.
The organisers of the event stated that this will be a “journey across Canada, as the countdown unfolds through moments that reflect the country from coast to coast”.
Katy Perry to star in US ceremony
And finally, on the same day, the United States will play their opening match against Paraguay in Los Angeles.
Katy Perry will headline this opening ceremony, being joined by rapper Future, Lisa of the K-pop band Blackpink, Brazilian superstar Anitta, Rema and Tyla.
FIFA has said that additional artists are still to be announced and confirmed, so who knows what else there is that we can look forward to.
Infantino said: “This opening ceremony in Los Angeles represents the extraordinary scale of what the FIFA World Cup 2026 will become.
“The line-up 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.”
This announcement of the trilogy of opening ceremonies comes just days after global megastar Shakira teased “Dai Dai”, the new official World Cup song for 2026 featuring Nigerian Afrobeats artist Burna Boy.
The singer released a minute-long video clip which received 1.9 million likes in less than 24 hours.
The official release date for this song is May 14.
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