The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially begins on Thursday, June 11, with massive opening ceremonies taking place across North America before the tournament’s first matches kick off.
Fans in Mexico City, Toronto, and Los Angeles will be treated to star-studded performances featuring some of the biggest names in global music before the opening games of the tournament.
When Are the FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremonies?
The festivities begin on Thursday, June 11, approximately 90 minutes before kickoff in each host city.
Mexico City Opening Ceremony
- Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Azteca Stadium, Mexico City
- Opening Match: Mexico vs. South Africa
Toronto Opening Ceremony
- Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Toronto Stadium
- Opening Match: Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Los Angeles Opening Ceremony
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
- Opening Match: United States vs. Paraguay
Who Is Performing at the FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremonies?
FIFA has assembled a diverse lineup of global music stars across the opening-day host venues.
Mexico City Performers
- Alejandro Fernández
- Belinda
- Burna Boy
- Danny Ocean
- J Balvin
- Lila Downs
- Los Ángeles Azules
- Maná
- Shakira
- Tyla
Shakira and Burna Boy are expected to perform the official FIFA World Cup song, “Dai Dai.”
Toronto Performers
- Alanis Morissette
- Alessia Cara
- Elyanna
- Jessie Reyez
- Michael Bublé
- Nora Fatehi
- Sanjoy
- Vegedream
- William Prince
Los Angeles Performers
FIFA is expected to announce additional performers for the Los Angeles ceremony closer to kickoff.
How to Watch the FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremonies
Fans in the United States can watch all three opening ceremonies live on FOX One. Streaming coverage will also be available on fubo, which carries the full broadcast.
- TV Channel: FOX One
- Live Stream: fubo
Because ceremonies begin roughly 90 minutes before kickoff, viewers are encouraged to tune in early to catch the full performances and pregame festivities.
FIFA Encouraging Fan Participation
FIFA has announced that fans inside the stadiums will play an active role during the opening ceremonies. Spectators attending the matches are encouraged to arrive early and prepare to participate in crowd interactions throughout the show.
With music superstars, packed stadiums and three host nations celebrating on opening day, the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremonies are set to deliver one of the biggest entertainment events in soccer history.