Dramatic empty stage with colorful theatrical lighting and dramatic spotlight creating glamorous World Cup ceremony atmosphere

Key Takeaways

Three host nations delivered three completely different fashion energies — from camp Americana to heritage-rich Mexican design
Katy Perry served full Americana camp at SoFi Stadium — the internet ate it up
LISA turned the Toronto ceremony into her personal runway
Anitta's Mexico City look was a statement on cultural pride, not just fashion

World Cup 2026 gave us three opening ceremonies across three countries — and the fashion delivered harder than the performances. From Katy Perry's camp Americana to LISA's runway-ready Toronto moment to Anitta's culture-defining Mexico City look, we're judging every outfit and crowning a winner.

Three Ceremonies, Three Vibes

Let's set the stage. This isn't your standard one-and-done opening. WC2026 spans the US, Mexico, and Canada — meaning three separate ceremonies, three different cities, and three completely distinct fashion ecosystems. Mexico City brought heritage. Toronto brought polish. Los Angeles brought pure spectacle.

Think of it as the Met Gala split into three cities, each with its own dress code. One night. Three red carpets. And we're here for all of them.

USA — Stars, Stripes & Statements

The SoFi Stadium ceremony in Los Angeles was always going to be the main event, and Katy Perry knew it. She reportedly stepped out in a custom Americana-inspired look that was equal parts camp and couture — think star-spangled bodice, high-shine metallics, and a cape moment that screamed "I don't just perform — I arrive."

The outfit worked because it committed fully. There's nothing worse than a half-measure patriotic look — a subtle flag pin or a red lip doesn't cut it when you're opening a World Cup. Perry understood the assignment. She gave us full theatrical American maximalism, and honestly, it's exactly what the moment called for.

The supporting cast at SoFi didn't disappoint either. US performers leaned into elevated streetwear — oversized suiting, chunky sneakers with tailored shorts, and enough chains to set off a metal detector. It was hip-hop meets sportswear meets global stage.

Katy Perry served Americana camp and we ate it up.

Mexico — Heritage Meets Hype

Mexico City's ceremony was always going to have the best aesthetic foundation. Mexican fashion at its peak blends indigenous craftsmanship with modern silhouette — and Anitta reportedly understood this perfectly.

Her look wasn't just an outfit — it was a thesis. Rich textiles, bold color palettes rooted in Mexican artistry, and silhouettes that referenced traditional dress without cosplaying as costume. The distinction matters. When fashion draws from culture, the best versions amplify it, not appropriate it.

Anitta's Mexico City look reportedly scored a perfect 10/10 from fashion commentators for exactly this reason. She didn't wear something Mexican-inspired. She wore something that could only exist within Mexican fashion tradition, modernized for a global stage.

The supporting performers matched the energy. Embroidered details, vibrant patterns, and accessories that told stories. Mexico's ceremony wasn't just entertaining — it was genuinely beautiful.

Anitta's look wasn't an outfit, that was a thesis.

Canada — The Sleeper Hit

Toronto was the underdog going in, and the fashion delivered the upset. Canada's ceremony went for clean minimalism — think structured tailoring, monochrome palettes, and architectural silhouettes that felt more like a contemporary art museum than a sports event.

LISA reportedly walked out like the stadium was her personal runway. The BLACKPINK star has been building a solo fashion reputation that rivals her music career, and her Toronto look reinforced every bit of that. Structured, sharp, and dripping with quiet confidence — the kind of outfit that doesn't need embellishment because the cut does all the talking.

The Canadian supporting performers played their roles perfectly — restrained elegance that let the headliners shine without disappearing. Toronto proved that sometimes less is more, especially when you're competing with two ceremonies that went maximal.

LISA walked out like the stadium was her personal runway.

Best & Worst Dressed — Ranked

Best: Anitta (Mexico City)

Heritage-rich, visually stunning, culturally authentic. This look will be referenced in fashion roundups for years. A perfect marriage of tradition and modernity. 10/10.

Best: Katy Perry (Los Angeles)

Full camp commitment. You can't be half-hearted with Americana at a World Cup. She understood the scale of the moment and dressed accordingly. 9/10.

Best: LISA (Toronto)

Architectural minimalism done right. The silhouette did all the work. Understated power — exactly what Canada's ceremony needed from its headliner. 8.5/10.

The Culture Clash Scoreboard

Ceremony Fashion Comparison

Mexico City — Cultural Depth: 10/10 | Spectacle: 8/10 | Wearability: 7/10 | Overall Vibe: "I cried, it was beautiful"
Toronto — Cultural Depth: 7/10 | Spectacle: 7/10 | Wearability: 9/10 | Overall Vibe: "Quiet luxury at a football match"
Los Angeles — Cultural Depth: 6/10 | Spectacle: 10/10 | Wearability: 4/10 | Overall Vibe: "Iconic chaos, zero apologies"

Final Verdict

Here's the thing — each ceremony's fashion was right for its setting. You wouldn't put Katy Perry's Americana camp in the Palacio de los Deportes, and you wouldn't put Anitta's heritage gown at SoFi. The outfits worked because they were designed for their context.

But if we're forced to crown one winner? Mexico City. Anitta's look wasn't just beautiful — it was meaningful. It said something about Mexican culture on the world's biggest stage, and it said it through fashion. That's the highest bar any ceremony outfit can clear.

Disagree? Tell us why we're wrong in the comments. Which ceremony had the best looks? Vote below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Katy Perry wear at the WC2026 opening ceremony?

Katy Perry reportedly wore a custom Americana-inspired outfit at the SoFi Stadium ceremony in Los Angeles, featuring star-spangled elements, metallic fabrics, and a dramatic cape. The look was full camp energy, committed to the theme of American spectacle.

Which country had the best opening ceremony style at WC2026?

Each ceremony brought its own energy. Mexico City delivered culturally rich heritage looks, Toronto offered clean architectural minimalism, and Los Angeles went full camp spectacle. Fashion critics largely praised Mexico City for combining beauty with cultural meaning.

Who performed at the World Cup 2026 opening ceremony?

WC2026 featured performances across three ceremonies: Anitta headlined in Mexico City, LISA performed in Toronto, and Katy Perry headlined the main event at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Each ceremony featured additional local and international artists.

best dressed world cup 2026

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