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Key Takeaways

June 11 features three opening ceremonies — Mexico City, Toronto, and Los Angeles — in a single night
Anitta headlines Mexico City, LISA performs in Toronto, Katy Perry owns the main event at SoFi Stadium
Mexico vs South Africa kicks off the tournament after the opening ceremonies
All three ceremonies will stream globally — here's how to catch every moment

World Cup 2026's opening day isn't a football event — it's basically three Super Bowl halftime shows crammed into one night. Three ceremonies across three countries, featuring LISA, Katy Perry, Anitta, and more. Here's your complete VIP guide to June 11.

Why June 11 Is Basically Three Super Bowl Halftime Shows

Forget what you know about World Cup openings. WC2026 is doing something that's never been done before — three separate opening ceremonies in three different countries on the same night. Think of it as Coachella, the Met Gala, and a stadium concert happening simultaneously across North America.

FIFA's biggest gamble is about to pay off or implode spectacularly, and honestly, either way, it's going to be iconic. Mexico goes first with the heritage-heavy ceremony, then Toronto brings the clean energy, and finally Los Angeles delivers the main event at SoFi Stadium.

Three countries. One World Cup. Zero chill. This is the most ambitious opening day in football history, and you need a game plan.

Save this — you'll need it on June 11.

Mexico City Ceremony — The Heritage Opener

Mexico City kicks things off, and if you know anything about Mexican entertainment culture, you know they don't do anything halfway. The ceremony takes place at a venue in the iconic Estadio Azteca area — the spiritual home of Mexican football.

Anitta is the confirmed headliner, and she's bringing the full Brazilian-Mexican crossover energy that only she can deliver. Expect heritage-inspired visuals, vibrant staging, and a set list that bridges Latin pop with global appeal. This is the ceremony that sets the tone for the entire tournament.

Watch this or regret it — Anitta at a World Cup on Mexican soil is the kind of cultural moment that doesn't happen twice. The surprise guest rumored for this ceremony could make it the most talked-about opening of the three.

Mexico City Ceremony Lineup

Headliner: Anitta
Vibe: Heritage-rich, high-energy, Latin crossover
Must-Watch Moment: The rumored surprise guest — could be a major Mexican artist
Why It Matters: Mexico hasn't hosted a World Cup since 1986. This is their return to the global stage.

Toronto Ceremony — Canada's Coming-Out Party

Canada finally gets to host a World Cup, and they're not playing the understudy. Toronto's ceremony is being built as a statement — not just about football, but about Canada's arrival as a global entertainment destination.

LISA takes the stage in Toronto, and if her recent solo career trajectory is any indication, this performance will be runway-level polished. She's been building toward moments exactly like this — a global stage, a fashion-forward audience, and the kind of production value that BLACKPINK fans have come to expect.

Stage design leaks suggest a sleek, modern aesthetic — think LED installations, architectural lighting, and a minimal palette that lets the performance speak for itself. Canada isn't trying to out-sparkle LA. They're going for elegance over spectacle.

Toronto Ceremony Lineup

Headliner: LISA (BLACKPINK)
Vibe: Polished, modern, fashion-forward
Must-Watch Moment: LISA's solo performance on a global stage — career-defining
Why It Matters: First-ever World Cup match hosted on Canadian soil. History in the making.

Los Angeles / SoFi Stadium — The Main Event

This is it. The big one. SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California — the same venue that hosted the Super Bowl and the Olympics — now hosts the centerpiece of World Cup 2026's opening. And they're not holding back.

Katy Perry is the confirmed headliner, and honestly, who else would you pick for an LA World Cup opening? She's Americana camp personified, and reports suggest her set will include a confirmed track list built around her biggest hits — the kind of anthemic pop that works perfectly in a stadium setting.

Future is also reportedly on the bill, bringing hip-hop energy to a ceremony that's shaping up as the most diverse musical lineup of the three. The SoFi production value is expected to be off the charts — think holographic projections, drone formations, and pyrotechnics that make New Year's Eve look low-key.

Katy Perry at a World Cup is peak 2026 energy. This WILL be the most-watched opening ceremony of the night.

Los Angeles Ceremony Lineup

Headliner: Katy Perry
Also Performing: Future (reported)
Vibe: Maximum spectacle, Americana camp, stadium-popping production
Must-Watch Moment: Katy Perry's confirmed set — expect fireworks (literally)
Why It Matters: This is the flagship ceremony. The world is watching SoFi.

Three countries, one World Cup — FIFA's biggest gamble yet.

Mexico vs South Africa — First Kick Preview

After the ceremonies, the actual football begins. Mexico vs South Africa in the tournament opener is an underdog storyline waiting to happen. Mexico carries the weight of host-nation expectations, while South Africa arrives with nothing to lose — the most dangerous mindset in tournament football.

First matches at World Cups have a tendency to be tight, nervy affairs where both teams are feeling out the tournament. But the home crowd in Mexico City could tip the scales. The atmosphere alone will be worth the watch — Mexican fans don't do quiet.

This opener could set the tone for Mexico's entire tournament run. Win comfortably and the momentum builds. Drop points and the pressure mounts immediately. There's no easing into a World Cup when you're the host nation.

How to Watch All Three — Your Streaming Survival Guide

Watching Guide

Mexico City: Streams first — check your local FIFA broadcast partner for exact times in your zone
Toronto: Follows Mexico City — minimal overlap planned for maximum viewership
Los Angeles: The main event — primetime scheduling in most global markets
Pro Tip: Set reminders for all three. The ceremonies are staggered to allow viewers to catch most of each one.
Damage Control: If you can only watch one, make it LA. The SoFi ceremony is the flagship.

Prediction: Which Ceremony Wins the Night?

Mexico City has the emotional edge — the return to hosting after 40 years, the passion of Mexican fans, and Anitta's crossover appeal. Toronto has the element of surprise — nobody expects Canada to deliver the most polished show, which makes a strong performance even more impressive.

But let's be honest. LA is the main event for a reason. SoFi Stadium, Katy Perry, maximum production value, and the biggest global audience. It's designed to be the winner, and it probably will be — on numbers alone.

But the best ceremony? That might be the one nobody's betting on. That's how these things usually go.

Mexico City, Toronto, or LA — which ceremony are you most hyped for? Drop your city in the comments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the World Cup 2026 opening ceremony?

World Cup 2026 has three opening ceremonies: Mexico City (Estadio Azteca area), Toronto (BMO Field area), and Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium). Each host nation gets its own ceremony to kick off the tournament on June 11, 2026.

What time is the WC2026 opening ceremony?

The three ceremonies are staggered throughout June 11 evening across time zones. Mexico City goes first, then Toronto, then Los Angeles. Check your local FIFA broadcast partner for exact times in your timezone.

Who is performing at the World Cup 2026 opening ceremony?

Confirmed performers include Anitta headlining in Mexico City, LISA performing in Toronto, and Katy Perry headlining the flagship ceremony at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Future is also reportedly on the LA bill.

How many opening ceremonies are there for WC 2026?

Three. Because the 2026 World Cup is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, each nation gets its own opening ceremony. This is the first time in World Cup history that three separate opening ceremonies will take place.

world cup 2026 opening ceremony

World Cup 2026 Opening Day: Three Countries, Three Shows, Zero Chill