2026 World – The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts with three opening ceremonies across Mexico, the United States, and Canada—each timed to begin 90 minutes before its host nation’s first group match. Here are the dates, venues, and performance lineups, plus the exact start times
The 2026 FIFA World Cup countdown ends Thursday, June 11, with a new kind of spectacle: for the first time in tournament history, the event will open with three separate ceremonies—one in each host nation—spanning Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
Thursday kicks things off in Mexico City at Estadio Azteca. The festivities are scheduled to run for 90 minutes before kickoff, leading into Mexico’s Group A opener against South Africa.
For U.S. viewers, the timing stays tight. The World Cup opening ceremony will commence on June 11 at 1:30 p.m. ET, just before the Group A match between Mexico and South Africa.
A day later, the spotlight moves north. The second opening ceremony takes place Friday, June 12, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. This show is built around star power. with global superstars Katy Perry. Future. Anitta. LISA. Rema. and Tyla slated to perform. Their performances are scheduled to set the stage for the United States’ opening match against Paraguay.
That ceremony also starts with the same rhythm—90 minutes before kickoff—and will air on June 12 at a time that corresponds to the U.S. Group match. The 2026 World Cup opening ceremony for the United States will be held 90 minutes prior to the host nation’s group kickoff.
Canada completes the trio on Friday, June 12, at Toronto’s BMO Field. Artists scheduled to perform include Alanis Morissette. Alessia Cara. Elyanna. Jessie Reyez. Michael Bublé. Nora Fatehi. Sanjoy. Vegedream. and William Prince. The Canadian ceremony will run ahead of Canada’s first match against Bosnia and Herzegovina—also 90 minutes before kickoff.
The start times for the ceremonies are staggered across the two days: Mexico’s ceremony begins June 11 at 1:30 p.m. ET, while Canada and the United States both hold their opening ceremonies on Friday, June 12, each set for 90 minutes before their respective group kicks.
If you’re planning to watch from the U.S., the ceremonies are available through Fubo.
As the tournament expands into a coordinated three-site welcome, the structure makes the stakes feel immediate for fans on each side of the border: the performances aren’t just pageantry—they arrive in the window just before the first matches that determine how each host nation starts its campaign.
2026 World Cup opening ceremonies Estadio Azteca SoFi Stadium BMO Field Mexico vs South Africa United States vs Paraguay Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina Katy Perry Future Anitta LISA Rema Tyla watch World Cup ceremonies Fubo
So it’s on Fubo only? That’s lame, I hate needing another subscription just to watch countries sing.
Wait June 11 1:30pm ET is Mexico right? But the US “opens” June 12 at 1:30 too? They should’ve just picked one time zone lol.
I saw Katy Perry and thought she’s playing at the US ceremony but then it says Mexico City starts first like?? Also Mexico vs South Africa in the group makes no sense to me, I must be reading it wrong.
90 minutes before kickoff… so basically just show up early? I’m just gonna watch highlights, because if it’s split between Mexico/US/Canada I’ll miss the one with the best performers anyway.