The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature three opening ceremonies
The 23rd FIFA World Cup kicks off on Thursday, 11 June. For the first time, the tournament is being co-hosted by three countries: Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Three separate opening ceremonies will take place before the competition begins. Mexico will be the first to open the tournament. The ceremony at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City will begin 90 minutes before the opening match between the national teams of Mexico and South Africa. It will start at 20:30 Kyiv time.
The organisers have announced that Mexican culture, music, dance and contemporary folklore will take centre stage in the show. The programme features performances by Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná and Tyla. Shakira and Burna Boy are also set to perform at the ceremony, singing the World Cup’s official song, ‘Dai Dai’.
The following day, Toronto and Los Angeles will take over the opening baton. In the Canadian city, the ceremony will take place before the Canada v Bosnia and Herzegovina match. Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Alyanna, Jessie Reyez, Michael Bublé, Nora Fatehi, Sanjoy, Vegedream and William Prince will take part in the show.
The marathon of ceremonies will conclude in Los Angeles ahead of the USA v Paraguay match. Among the announced artists are Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema and Tyla.
In Ukraine, the official broadcaster of the World Cup is the MEGOGO media service. Viewers will be able to watch the opening ceremony and the tournament’s opening match on the service’s platform. The broadcast will be commentated on by Volodymyr Zverov and Vadym Skichko.
The 2026 World Cup will run from 11 June to 19 July. The opening match will be between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City.
