The 2026 World Cup will begin with a series of historic opening ceremonies across North America, marking the first time that the tournament will begin in all three host countries at the same time.
The United States, Mexico and Canada will officially host the biggest World Cup in history.
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The United States hosted the event in 1994, and Mexico hosted it in 1970 and 1986, but this will be Canada’s first time hosting the event. All three countries will begin the tournament.
This World Cup will feature a record 104 matches across 16 host cities. The global event will run from the opening game in Mexico on Thursday, June 11th to the final in New York on Sunday, July 19th.
Here’s what we know:
What is the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The three interconnected ceremonies in Mexico, Canada, and the United States are built around a common theme that aims to unite the three host countries while showcasing each country’s culture, identity, and creative talent.
Each event begins 90 minutes before the host country’s opening game.
The ceremony is produced by creative director Marko Baric, who has worked on several Olympic opening ceremonies, including the 2026 Winter Games and major international sporting events. While each show has its own unique characteristics, all three shows are linked by a common theme centered around soccer’s ability to unite people across borders.
Each host country introduces a unique visual style to the ceremony. Canada is represented by a cultural mosaic, Mexico by a papel picado, and the United States by what Baric calls a “super shiny cup.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said, “The FIFA World Cup is a moment shared by the world, and it starts with how we hold it.”
“Starting in Mexico City and continuing the following day in Toronto and Los Angeles, these ceremonies will bring together music, culture and soccer in a way that reflects both the individuality of each country and the unity that characterizes this tournament. This is a powerful way to kick off a truly global celebration.”
The ceremony in Mexico City will last approximately 16 minutes and 30 seconds, while the shows in Toronto and Los Angeles will each last approximately 13 minutes, according to a reporter for The Athletic.
Once the performance is complete, the pitch will be handed over to the teams for pre-match warm-up. A game-day protocol ceremony, including player walkouts and official introductions, will then begin 25 minutes before kickoff and last approximately 13 minutes.
Who will participate in the opening game?
Mexico will face South Africa in the first match of the tournament, which will be played after the opening ceremony in Mexico City.
Canada will take on Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, marking a historic milestone as the Canadian men’s national team’s first World Cup match on home soil.
The United States will play Paraguay in the opening game after a celebration in Los Angeles.
When and where is the World Cup opening ceremony held?
Mexico City (June 11)
Mexico will begin the tournament at the Mexico City Stadium (formerly Estadio Azteca) 90 minutes before the opening match against South Africa, in a repeat of the 2010 opener.
The ceremony is expected to celebrate Mexican culture through indigenous performers, modern folklore, and the traditional art of papel picado.
Artists featured on the official FIFA World Cup album will include Alejandro Fernandez, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Angeles Azuls, Mana and more. South African singer-songwriter Tyra will also appear on the show.
Shakira will also perform “Dai Dai” (an Italian phrase meaning “Let’s go” or “Come on”) with Burna Boy. Shakira will also be co-headlining the first FIFA World Cup final halftime show on July 19th, along with Madonna and K-pop band BTS.
Authorities declared June 11 a public holiday in Mexico City, schools were closed and employers were encouraged to allow remote work. Access to stadium areas will be restricted to ticket holders, authorized media and authorized personnel.
Opening day schedule in Mexico
9:00 (15:00 Japan time): Stadium gates open
11:00 (17:00 Japan time): Opening ceremony begins
12:10 (18:10 Japan time): Team warm-up
13:00 (19:00 Japan time): Mexico vs. South Africa kickoff
Toronto (June 12)
Canada’s ceremony will take place at Toronto Stadium before the World Cup game against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The opening ceremony in Toronto will begin at 1:30 pm local time (17:30 GMT).
The ceremony begins with a unique countdown designed to take viewers on a “journey across Canada,” highlighting moments that reflect this country “from coast to coast.”
The cultural mosaic event will highlight Canada’s diversity through music and performance, featuring artists such as Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Elianna, Jesse Reyes, Michael Bublé, Nora Fatehi, Sunjoy, Vegedream and William Prince.
The match immediately following the ceremony against Bosnia and Herzegovina is of great significance as it will be the first home FIFA World Cup match for the Canadian men’s national team.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the Toronto ceremony would be a “powerful reflection of Canada’s identity” and a “moment of pride, unity and anticipation” as Canada takes to soccer’s biggest stage.
Opening day schedule in Canada
13:30 (17:30 Japan time): The opening ceremony begins.
15:00 (19:00 Japan time): Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina kickoff.
After the ceremony, each team will complete pre-match warm-up exercises, before kickoff at 3pm local time (7pm GMT).
Los Angeles (June 12)
The United States will hold an opening celebration at Los Angeles Stadium before facing Paraguay.
The ceremony will feature large-scale visuals, immersive storytelling and performances from global artists including Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, Lisa, Rema and Tyra.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized that this particular line-up of artists was chosen to reflect America’s cultural diversity and vibrant diaspora, demonstrating the country’s tremendous influence on global pop culture, music and entertainment.
Opening day schedule in the US
16:30 (23:30 Japan time): Opening ceremony begins
18:00 (01:00 June 13, Japan time): USA vs. Paraguay kickoff.
How can I watch the World Cup opening ceremony?
Fans in the United States will be able to watch the opening ceremony through FIFA’s official broadcast partners. English coverage will be available on FOX and FS1, and Spanish coverage will be broadcast on Telemundo and Universo.
For free streaming, Tubi will simulcast the opening ceremony and season openers, including Mexico vs. South Africa on June 11th and USA vs. Paraguay on June 12th.
All 104 World Cup games will also be available on the FOX One app (registration required), and Spanish viewers can stream all games on the Peacock and Telemundo apps.
International broadcasts include:
Canada: CTV, TSN, and RDS Mexico: Televisa and TV Azteca UK: BBC and ITV
How many fans do you expect to attend and watch?
FIFA has not announced the official numbers for the opening ceremony. However, the three events are expected to have packed venues in Mexico City, Toronto, and Los Angeles, with a combined audience of around 200,000 people expected to attend the concerts.
The ceremony will be broadcast around the world as part of the opening game broadcast, and is likely to attract tens or hundreds of millions of television viewers around the world.
Does the host country face any challenges ahead of the ceremony?
yes. Protests by teachers’ unions and other groups continue in Mexico City, raising concerns about possible unrest ahead of the opening game between Mexico and South Africa.
Protesters threatened to block major roads leading to the Mexico City stadium and other key locations. Authorities have responded with a massive security operation and say the opening ceremony is not in danger, but organizers remain on alert as the Games approach.
In Los Angeles, authorities are focusing on public safety planning, crowd control and preparations for large events across the city. Local authorities also said they did not expect immigration enforcement at World Cup venues.
In Toronto, organizers are bracing for an influx of visitors and transit agencies are adding service and adjusting plans to ease crowds. For all three host countries, security and logistics remain key priorities during the tournament.
The FIFA World Cup begins on June 11th. Check out Al Jazeera’s dedicated 2026 World Cup page for all the latest news, fixtures and live text commentary, and stay up to date with group standings, real-time results and schedules.
