World Cup 2026 opening ceremony Thursday - times, performers and what to expect

[SpinState52]

The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off Thursday June 11 with the first of THREE opening ceremonies - one in each host nation. This has never been done before.

Mexico City goes first: Estadio Azteca, 5:30pm BST (12:30pm ET). Performers include Mana, Alejandro Fernandez, Belinda and Lila Downs. First match is Mexico vs South Africa at 7pm BST.

Toronto follows Friday June 12: BMO Field, 6:30pm BST (1:30pm ET). Michael Buble, Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Elyanna and Jessie Reyez.

Los Angeles closes the trilogy Friday June 12: SoFi Stadium, 9:30pm BST (4:30pm ET). Katy Perry, LISA, Future, Anitta, Rema, Tyla and Shakira.

The Weeknd headlines a separate Countdown Concert in LA on June 11. Bryan Adams and Wyclef Jean perform at a Grammy-organised pre-tournament concert June 10.

All three shows are produced by Marco Balich - the same Italian producer behind the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony. Theme is about 30 minutes of music plus flag parade and ball presentation. Not a Super Bowl-style halftime show.

The World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey on July 19 will feature the first-ever World Cup halftime show, curated by Coldplay.

World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremonies: Everything You Need to Knowwww.givemesport.com

[Red Wrench]

Elyanna performing at Toronto is the most interesting booking. First Arab artist to perform a full Coachella set in Arabic and now a World Cup ceremony. That is significant representation

[Dom_24]

Three ceremonies is an interesting call but it makes sense when you have three host nations each wanting the cultural moment. Mexico City at the Azteca with that crowd and atmosphere is going to be electric

[ThreadNecro]

Katy Perry, LISA, Tyla and Shakira all on the same LA stage is a properly stacked lineup. The LA ceremony is clearly the one FIFA has put the most into

[Bussin]

For UK viewers the Mexico ceremony at 5:30pm BST on a Thursday is actually very watchable. Work is done, you can catch it live before the match at 7pm

[Hollow85]

Alanis Morissette at the Toronto ceremony is a brilliant choice. Genuinely iconic Canadian artist and a very different energy from the pop-heavy LA lineup

[Louise82]

Coldplay curating the final halftime show rather than performing is an odd decision. Either they are saving themselves for something else this summer or this is a creative choice that could be brilliant or deeply self-indulgent

[One-One-Five]

Can't wait for K t Perry