FIFA will stage three separate opening ceremonies for the 2026 World Cup, with events planned in Mexico, Canada and the United States as the tournament begins a new multi-host format.
The opening celebrations will take place across Mexico City, Toronto and Los Angeles, marking the first time in the competition’s history that the ceremonial start will be split across multiple countries.
The tournament officially kicks off on June 11, 2026, with Mexico hosting the first opening ceremony at the historic Estadio Azteca, followed by Canada the next day and the United States completing the opening sequence.
Each host nation is expected to present its own cultural programme before matches begin in their respective venues, reflecting FIFA’s expanded approach to a continent-wide World Cup.
Mexico will host the first match of the tournament immediately after its opening ceremony, continuing the tradition of staging the World Cup opener in front of a large home crowd atmosphere in Mexico City.
Canada’s ceremony in Toronto will highlight the country’s first time as a World Cup co-host, while the United States’ event in Los Angeles is expected to feature a larger entertainment-focused production.
The three-ceremony format is part of FIFA’s broader expansion strategy for the 48-team tournament, which will be hosted across 16 cities in North America.
Officials say the structure is designed to reflect the shared hosting model, though it also means the traditional single global opening moment has been replaced by staggered ceremonies across multiple time zones.
The 2026 World Cup will be the largest in the competition’s history, featuring 104 matches across three countries.
Mexico City Ceremony
The opening ceremony will be held at the Banorte Stadium in Mexico City at 1:30 p.m. EST, 90 minutes prior to kickoff between Mexico and South Africa. The tournament song "Dai Dai" is set to make its debut with performances by Shakira and Burna Boy. The other acts scheduled to perform are Alejandro Fernandez, J Balvin, Mana, and Tyla.
Toronto Ceremony
Canada’s ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 12, at 1:20 p.m. at Toronto’s BMO Field. Performers include Michael Buble, Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Palestinian singer Elyanna, and Nora Fatehi.
Los Angeles Ceremony
The U.S. ceremony takes place at 7:30 p.m. ET at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, Lisa of Blackpink, and Rema will perform. About three ceremonies, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the ceremonies “reflect both the individuality of each nation and the unity that defines this tournament.”