How to – The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off with three opening ceremonies across three host nations on two consecutive days. Mexico starts June 11, followed by Canada and the United States on June 12—each with its own star-studded lineup and set start time. Here’s exact
The 2026 FIFA World Cup doesn’t arrive with one single spotlight.
It opens with three—across three host nations—on two consecutive days. Mexico kicks things off on June 11, then Canada and the United States take their turns on June 12. Before any opening matches begin. each ceremony is set to blend local talent with international performers. turning the start of the tournament into a rolling sequence of big televised nights.
All three opening 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.
Mexico’s opening ceremony begins first.
The Mexico Opening Ceremony is set for Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. ET at Mexico City Stadium. The ceremony pairs with an opening match: Mexico vs South Africa.
The first ceremony took place in Mexico City. with a lineup of Latin and international artists leading into Mexico’s group stage opener against South Africa. Among the performers are Mexican rock band Maná. Mexican singers Alejandro Fernández. Belinda. and Lila Downs. and Mexican cumbia band Los Ángeles Azules. The international lineup includes South African singer Tyla. Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy. Colombian singers J Balvin and Shakira. and Venezuelan singer Danny Ocean.
Then the tournament’s second night shifts north.
The Canada Opening Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 12, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. ET at Toronto Stadium, Canada. It comes with the opening match Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Canada hosts the second ceremony with a roster of homegrown and international talent. The performers include Canadian artists Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez, Michael Bublé, Nora Fatehi, and William Prince. International acts on the lineup include Palestinian singer Elyanna, Bangladeshi-American DJ Sanjoy, and French singer Vegedream.
By evening, the spotlight finally lands back in the U.S.—with the biggest billed lineup of the three.
The United States Opening Ceremony is set for Friday, June 12, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Los Angeles Stadium, California. The ceremony leads into the match USA vs Paraguay.
This final and most star-studded of the three ceremonies is scheduled for SoFi Stadium in Inglewood ahead of the United States’ World Cup opener against Paraguay. The lineup features pop star Katy Perry. global K-pop star LISA. Nigerian Afrobeats artist Rema. Brazilian pop artist Anitta. and hip-hop artist Future.
Streaming the tournament doesn’t end when the ceremonies do.
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.
2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremonies Mexico Canada USA opening ceremony FOX FS1 FOX One Tubi Maná Katy Perry LISA Burna Boy opening match Mexico vs South Africa Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina USA vs Paraguay
So it’s like three openings but only one World Cup? Confusing.
I saw Maná and Shakira and thought oh great, they’re charging for all this though. Like Tubi free for Mexico and USA right? I don’t fully trust that lol. Also 1:30 p.m. ET feels random for “opening” on a weekday.
June 11 Mexico City then June 12 Canada/US… so basically the US opening is also right when Mexico is still playing? My schedule app already hates this stuff. Also FOX One sounds like those weird apps that never work on my TV.
It’s weird they’re doing openings in two days like that, but I guess it’s for TV. If it’s on FOX and FS1 then it’s probably the same camera angles as always. I’m just here for the hype artists, like Tyla and Burna Boy, not the timings. Don’t even know who Mexico vs South Africa is supposed to be, but I’ll watch anyway.