World Cup opening ceremony: Who’s performing, when it starts, how to watch

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin with a truly historic moment: for the first time, the tournament will launch with opening ceremonies happening simultaneously in three host countries. The United States, Mexico, and Canada will welcome the biggest World Cup ever, featuring a record 104 matches across 16 cities from June 11 to July 19.

These interconnected ceremonies, staged in Mexico City, Toronto, and Los Angeles, share a central theme: football’s power to unite people across borders. Marco Balich, known for directing Olympic opening ceremonies, is producing these events. Each ceremony will start 90 minutes before the host nation’s first game and will showcase its unique culture. For example, Canada will present a cultural mosaic, Mexico will use papel picado, and the US will have a 'super shiny, glowing cup' theme. FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted that these events will blend music, culture, and football, reflecting both the individuality of each nation and the tournament’s unity.

Mexico City hosts the first ceremony on June 11, where Mexico will play South Africa. This event is expected to run for about 16.5 minutes and will feature Indigenous performers and traditional art. Mexico City has even declared June 11 a public holiday. On June 12, Toronto will hold its ceremony before Canada’s Men’s National Team plays Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking their first World Cup game on home soil. Later, in Los Angeles, the US team will take on Paraguay. These ceremonies will celebrate each country’s heritage before the exciting games begin.