2026 World Cup to hold three separate opening ceremonies across US, Mexico, Canada

All three host nations will receive an opening ceremony between June 11 and 12 as the 2026 World Cup commences with three distinct celebrations across Mexico, Canada, and the United States.

Musicians are lined up to perform atop pitches before group-stage introductions in each country. Each show will evoke specific national imagery, and the long list of featured artists hints at elaborate sets. With the largest bracket in tournament history set to begin, here is what to know and when to tune in for all three ceremonies.

How to Watch the World Cup Opening Ceremonies (U.S. Viewers)

• Venues: Estadio Azteca — Mexico City; BMO Field — Toronto; SoFi Stadium — Inglewood, Calif.
• Dates: June 11–12
• Start Time: 90 minutes before each match

| Game | Time (ET) | TV | Stream | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Mexico vs. South Africa | 3 p.m., Thu. | Fox, Telemundo | Fubo (Watch Now) | | Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina | 3 p.m., Fri. | Fox, Telemundo | Fubo (Watch Now) | | U.S. vs. Paraguay | 9 p.m., Fri. | Fox, Telemundo | Fubo (Watch Now) |

The opening ceremonies will also be available for free on Tubi, the over-the-top streaming app owned by Fox. Fox is free over the air and streams with a Fox One subscription.

Mexico's Opening Ceremony

Mexico last hosted the World Cup in 1986. Its opening ceremony celebrated Indigenous culture through dance and design, featuring marching bands and mariachi performers, with sprawling cutaways to Chichén Itzá and seaside Mayan architecture.

This year's ceremony features the following artists:

• J Balvin
• Belinda
• Burna Boy
• Ryan Castro
• Lila Downs
• Alejandro Fernández
• Los Ángeles Azules
• Maná
• Danny Ocean
• Shakira
• Tyla

Shakira's "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" was the official song of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Per Billboard, it is the most successful World Cup anthem to date. The Colombian singer is also set as a co-headliner for the halftime show at the World Cup final, alongside BTS and Madonna.

Nigerian star Burna Boy will join Shakira for "Dai Dai," the theme for this 2026 tournament. That collaboration has topped nine-figure plays on YouTube.

Fernández is on FIFA's World Cup album with "Mi Mexico Lindo." Belinda and Los Ángeles Azules combine for "Por Ella." Ocean has "Partidazo" on the album, and Tyla links with Future on "Game Time."

The Mexican ceremony is expected to last 16 minutes and 30 seconds, according to an earlier report from The Athletic.

After the ceremony, Mexico will take on South Africa to open Group A action. Fernández will sing the Mexican national anthem, while Tyla will perform the South African anthem.