how to – The 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off with three opening ceremonies on two consecutive days—Mexico on June 11 and Canada and the United States on June 12—broadcast on the FOX family of networks and streamed on FOX One. Here are the start times, performer lineu
When the 2026 FIFA World Cup finally opens its curtains, it won’t be just one night or one country setting the mood. FIFA is doing something new: three opening ceremonies across three host nations, staged on two back-to-back days—Mexico first on June 11, then Canada and the United States on June 12.
For fans in the United States. the big question is simple—when do the shows start. where can they watch. and which performers will light up the host cities before the opening matches begin. The answer runs through the same broadcast and streaming platforms for all three ceremonies. with different start times and matchups leading each night.
Mexico’s opening kicks off Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. ET at Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City. The opening match tied to that ceremony is Mexico vs South Africa.
That ceremony’s lineup is built for a Latin-and-global opening. with Mexican rock band Maná. Mexican singers Alejandro Fernández. Belinda and Lila Downs. and Mexican cumbia band Los Ángeles Azules. It also includes South African singer Tyla. Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy. Colombian singers J Balvin and Shakira. and Venezuelan singer Danny Ocean.
Canada follows on Friday, June 12, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. ET at Toronto Stadium in Canada. The opening match on that day is Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Canada ceremony blends homegrown talent with international stars. Performers include Canadian artists Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez, Michael Bublé, Nora Fatehi and William Prince, alongside Palestinian singer Elyanna, Bangladeshi-American DJ Sanjoy and French singer Vegedream.
The United States caps the sequence Friday, June 12, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Los Angeles Stadium in California. That ceremony leads into the United States’ World Cup opener against Paraguay, with the opening match listed as USA vs Paraguay.
The U.S. lineup reads like a pop-culture headline in motion: Katy Perry, global K-pop star LISA, Nigerian Afrobeats artist Rema, Brazilian pop artist Anitta, and hip-hop artist Future.
All three ceremonies will be broadcast in the United States on the FOX family of networks, with English-language coverage on FOX and FS1. Every ceremony and match can also be streamed live on FOX One. Tubi will simulcast the Mexico and USA ceremonies and their accompanying opening matches for free.
The tournament itself will run beyond those opening nights. All 104 matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup can be streamed live and on demand on FOX One, from the opening ceremonies on June 11 through the World Cup final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
As the dates approach. the coverage momentum builds around the same core moment: June 11th on FOX for the tournament’s kickoff. with a daily series previewing the 2026 FIFA World Cup from Group D onward. In that preview. Alexi Lalas and David Mosse have reached the United States of America’s group. Group D. focusing on the USA’s opponents starting with Paraguay. while examining what makes Miguel Almirón and company dangerous and putting attention on Arda Güler and Kenan Yıldız & Türkiye.
2026 World Cup opening ceremony Mexico June 11 2026 Canada June 12 2026 USA opening ceremony June 12 2026 FOX One FOX and FS1 Tubi simulcast Maná Alejandro Fernández Belinda Lila Downs Los Ángeles Azules Tyla Burna Boy J Balvin Shakira Danny Ocean Alanis Morissette Alessia Cara Jessie Reyez Michael Bublé Nora Fatehi William Prince Elyanna Sanjoy Vegedream Katy Perry LISA Rema Anitta Future
So Mexico gets the first one at 1:30? That’s kind of random, I thought it was all at midnight or something.
Wait FOX One is different from FOX Sports right? I’m gonna miss it if it’s not on regular TV. Also Shakira being on the list is gonna be wild.
I don’t get why they can’t just do one ceremony for the whole World Cup. Three countries, two days… sounds like logistical chaos to me. Plus Mexico vs South Africa like who even picked that?
Alanis Morissette AND Michael Bublé for Canada?? Meanwhile the US one probably has like… nobody I recognize 🙃. Also it says June 12 at 1:30 ET but June 11 is Thursday so what timezone is that exactly? Confusing.