On June 11, 2026, the FIFA World Cup officially began with a grand opening ceremony held in Mexico. This tournament marks a significant milestone as it is the first time three countries—Mexico, the United States, and Canada—are co-hosting the event. The ceremony took place at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
Major Events of the Opening Ceremony
International superstar Shakira performed the tournament’s official song, exciting thousands of fans in attendance. The event attracted considerable attention as it was the first time in 40 years that Mexico hosted World Cup matches at home. However, not everything proceeded smoothly; outside the stadium, protests erupted, leading to clashes with police.
Match Schedules Following the Ceremony
The opening ceremony commenced at 20:30 local time, and shortly after, Mexico faced South Africa at 22:00 for the tournament’s first match. This FIFA World Cup spans five weeks, with activities happening across all three host nations.
Upcoming Ceremonies in Canada and the USA
On June 12, a second opening ceremony will take place at BMO Field in Toronto before the match between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Later that day, another ceremony is set for the USA’s match against Panama at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Performers in Upcoming Ceremonies
- June 12 in Canada:
- Michael Buble
- Alessia Cara
- Alanis Morissette
- Elyanna
- Vegedream
- Jessie Reyez
- Nora Fatehi
- Sanjoy
- William Prince
- June 12 in the USA:
- Katy Perry
- Future
- Anitta
- LISA
- Rema
- Tyla
- Dan + Shay
- Purahei Soul
(performing the US national anthem)
(performing the Paraguay national anthem)
The vibrant celebrations continue to unite football fans around the world as countries vie for the coveted championship title during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
