A crowded soccer stadium under bright lights at night capturing the excitement and spectacle of live sports events with dramatic atmosphere perfect for ranking World Cup opening ceremonies across three host nations

Key Takeaways

Toronto's ceremony delivered authenticity and cultural depth on a fraction of LA's budget
Mexico City's Aztec-inspired visuals were stunning but suffered from pacing issues
LA spent reportedly $50M and relied on LISA's performance to save the whole thing
Three ceremonies, three countries, one clear winner — and it's not the one you think

The World Cup 2026 opening ceremonies are done — all three of them. Toronto gave us goosebumps. Mexico City gave us ancient vibes we weren't ready for. And LA? LA spent reportedly $50 million and still couldn't top Toronto on $12 million. Here's the definitive ranking, and yes, we're ready for your disagreements.

Three Ceremonies, One World Cup

For the first time ever, the World Cup had three opening ceremonies across three countries. Canada, Mexico, and the United States each got their own moment to welcome the world. It was ambitious. It was chaotic. And honestly? It was exactly the kind of unhinged energy this tournament needed.

Most outlets covered each ceremony separately, like they existed in a vacuum. They didn't. They were competing against each other whether FIFA likes it or not. So we're doing what nobody else would — ranking them head to head. Spoiler: the cheapest one won.

Ceremony Quick Facts

Toronto — BMO Field, estimated $12M budget, Indigenous + pop crossover
Mexico City — Estadio Azteca, estimated $18M budget, Aztec ritual-inspired
Los Angeles — SoFi Stadium, estimated $50M budget, LISA + Katy Perry headlined

Cheerful fans cheering at a football stadium game showcasing the electric crowd energy and passionate atmosphere of live sports events

#3: Los Angeles — "Had Potential..."

Let's just say it: SoFi Stadium looked incredible. The lighting, the stage design, the sheer scale of the production — it was giving Super Bowl halftime. But that's also the problem. It felt like a Super Bowl halftime, not a World Cup opening ceremony.

Katy Perry performed and honestly? She served. But the setlist felt disconnected from the moment. Like, this is the biggest sporting event on the planet and we're getting a medley of pop hits with zero football energy? It was giving corporate party, not global celebration.

"LA spent $50M and still couldn't top Toronto on $12M."

Then LISA came out and absolutely saved the night. Her performance was the one moment where the crowd actually came alive. The choreography was insane, the energy shifted, and for four minutes it actually felt like a World Cup. But one great performance can't carry an entire ceremony.

The missed detail? The broadcast kept cutting away from performers to show celebrity reaction shots. We get it, Hollywood is here. We wanted to see the show, not Leonardo DiCaprio nodding.

#2: Mexico City — "Almost Perfect..."

Mexico City gave us ancient Aztec vibes and we were not ready. The opening sequence — with performers in full Aztec regalia emerging from smoke on the Estadio Azteca pitch — was genuinely breathtaking. The costumes, the drums, the fire. It was raw, it was real, and it hit completely different from anything we've seen at a modern World Cup.

The problem? The pacing. After that incredible opening, the middle section dragged hard. A 20-minute segment of interpretive dance that felt twice as long. The crowd started doing the wave. At an opening ceremony. That's never a good sign.

"Mexico City gave us ancient Aztec vibes and we weren't ready."

But the final act redeemed it. A massive fireworks display timed to traditional music that lit up the Mexico City skyline? Chef's kiss. If they'd trimmed the middle 20 minutes, this could have been #1. Almost.

The missed detail? The sound system had issues during the first act. Drums were slightly out of sync with the backing track, and you could see performers adjusting on the fly. Live television, baby. No second takes.

#1: Toronto — "This Is What It Should Be"

Here's the thing about Toronto's ceremony: it knew exactly what it was. No bloated celebrity lineups. No 45-minute runtime. It was tight, emotional, and deeply personal. And it walked so the other two could run.

The opening featured Canadian Indigenous artists in a stunning acknowledgment of the land and its people. It was powerful without being performative. The transition from traditional drumming into a modern electronic set by Canadian DJs was seamless — like watching the past and present shake hands.

"LISA in SoFi was the only thing that saved LA's ceremony."

What set Toronto apart was the crowd. BMO Field isn't SoFi Stadium. It's smaller, more intimate, and every single person in that stadium felt like they were part of the show, not just watching it. When the Canadian national anthem hit, the entire stadium sang. Not performed. Sang. That's the difference.

The missed detail? The drone show at the end formed a maple leaf that reportedly glitched for viewers on certain camera angles. On TV it looked slightly off. In person? Unforgettable. Sometimes the best moments are the ones the broadcast can't quite capture.

Honorable Mentions

Each ceremony had moments that deserved recognition even if the overall show didn't land. Mexico City's Aztec opener. LA's LISA set. Toronto's entire second act. These are the clips that'll be on replay for the next month.

And can we talk about the mascot reveal? All three ceremonies debuted the WC2026 mascot simultaneously. In Toronto, it got a warm cheer. In Mexico City, the crowd went wild. In LA? People were reportedly more interested in their phones. Brutal.

The Moment Nobody's Talking About

During Toronto's ceremony, an Indigenous elder gave a spoken-word performance that wasn't on any official program. It lasted about 90 seconds. The broadcast barely acknowledged it. But if you were watching the live feed from inside the stadium, you could hear a pin drop. That 90 seconds had more emotional weight than anything LA did with ten times the budget.

Sometimes the best moments aren't the flashy ones. They're the quiet ones that catch you off guard.

The Verdict

Toronto proved that authenticity beats budget every single time. Mexico City showed that cultural pride can carry a show even when the pacing falters. And LA? LA proved that throwing money at a stage doesn't automatically make it iconic.

The World Cup 2026 opening ceremonies were a bold experiment in multi-country celebration. Two out of three worked beautifully. One needed LISA to save it. We'll let you guess which is which. Actually, we already told you. Rate the ceremonies yourself in the comments — we know you have opinions.

Colorful fireworks explode in the night sky celebrating the spectacle and grandeur of a major international sporting event opening ceremony

Frequently Asked Questions

How many WC2026 opening ceremonies were there?

There were three separate opening ceremonies — one in each host country: Toronto (Canada), Mexico City (Mexico), and Los Angeles (USA).

Who performed at the WC2026 opening ceremonies?

Performers included LISA and Katy Perry in Los Angeles, traditional Aztec-inspired performers in Mexico City, and Canadian Indigenous artists alongside pop acts in Toronto.

Where were the WC2026 opening ceremonies held?

The three ceremonies were held at BMO Field in Toronto, Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, and SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

What is the best World Cup opening ceremony ever?

That depends who you ask, but many fans consider the 2010 South Africa ceremony iconic for its authenticity. Among WC2026 ceremonies, Toronto's cultural showcase ranked highest in our book.

which wc2026 opening ceremony was best

Every World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Ranked From Best to 'Why Did They Do That'