For the first time in history, FIFA to kick off the 2026 World Cup with three opening ceremonies

FIFA has announced that there will be three opening ceremonies for the 2026 World Cup, a first in the tournament’s history, with a ceremony to be held in each of the host nations: Canada, the United States and Mexico.

The next edition of the World Cup is scheduled to kick off on 11 June and run until 19 July 2026, with 48 teams participating for the first time in the competition’s history. The United States will host 78 of the 104 matches, whilst the remaining matches will be split between Mexico and Canada, with 13 matches each.

FIFA confirmed in official statements, a copy of which was received by the Canary, that a group of the world’s leading music stars, including Katy Perry, Future, Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, J Balvin and Liza, will take part in these celebrations, which will kick off in Mexico, then move to Canada and finally to the United States.

3 concerts to kick off the FIFA 2026 World Cup

The celebratory events in Mexico will begin 90 minutes before the tournament’s opening match, which pits the hosts against South Africa and is scheduled for 11 June at the Azteca Stadium, which will be known as “Mexico City Stadium” for the duration of the World Cup only.

The concert in Mexico will feature Colombian star J Balvin, the multi-Grammy-winning Mexican rock band Mana, and pop star Alejandro Fernández, son of music legend Vicente Fernández.

Also performing will be Lila Downs, Belinda, South African singer Tayla, and the Los Angeles-based band Solis, specialising in traditional Mexican cumbia music.

In this context, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in an official statement, a copy of which was received by the Canary:

The world will share this moment, and this is how the tournament will begin. Starting in Mexico City, and over the following days in Toronto and Los Angeles, these celebrations will bring together music, culture and football in a way that reflects the uniqueness of each country.

In Canada, the opening ceremony will take place on 12 June, ahead of the Canadian national team’s match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, featuring Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, Alessia Cara, Eliana, Jessie Reez and Nora Fathi.

As for the United States, it kicks off its campaign on the same day in Los Angeles against Paraguay, in a massive event combining sport and music, featuring global pop star Katy Perry, who previously performed at the 2015 Super Bowl halftime show.

Also taking part in the US ceremony will be rapper Future, Lisa from Blackpink, and Brazilian star Anitta, with further names to be announced later. In this regard, Gianni Infantino said that:

the opening ceremony in Los Angeles reflects the exceptional scale that the 2026 World Cup will reach.

Featured image via Latin Times

By Alaa Shamali

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