World Cup 2026 is set to be the biggest one ever – with an expansion to 48 teams and 104 matches – and you can bet the host nations are planning an eye-catching introduction.
Canada, Mexico, and the United States are sharing hosting duties this summer, the first time a World Cup has been split across three host countries, but have gone their separate ways where the opening ceremony, or rather ceremonies, are concerned.
Each has their own plans in place to mark the start of the tournament ahead of their respective opening fixtures and are bringing in some famous faces to bring the wow factor.
Radio Times brings you all the details for the World Cup 2026 opening ceremonies, including the date and the performers.
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When is the World Cup opening ceremony?
There are three opening ceremonies at World Cup 2026 – one in each home nation.
The first opening ceremony takes place at 6:30pm on Thursday 11 June at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, ahead of the first match of the tournament between Mexico and South Africa.
The second is scheduled for 6:30pm on Friday 12 June, before Canada’s opening match against Bosnia and Herzegovina at BMO Field in Toronto.
The third and final opening ceremony is set for 12:30am on Saturday 13 June and will take place at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles ahead of USA v Paraguay.
UK fans will be able to watch the opening ceremonies before the coverage of each host nation’s opener on either BBC One (Canada v Bosnia and Herzegovina, USA v Paraguay) or ITV 1 (Mexico v South Africa).
World Cup opening ceremony performers
Each of the three opening ceremonies has a different theme and line-up, which are linked to the host nation. The confirmed performers can be found below.
Mexico opening ceremony performers
- Maná
- Alejandro Fernández
- Belinda
- Los Ángeles Azules
- Lila Downs
- J Balvin
- Danny Ocean
- Tyla
Canada opening ceremony performers
- Michael Bublé
- Alanis Morissette
- Alessia Cara
- Jessie Reyez
- William Prince
- Sanjoy
- Nora Fatehi
- Elyanna
- Vegedream
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United States opening ceremony performers
- Katy Perry
- Future
- Anitta
- LISA (from BLACKPINK)
- Rema
- Tyla
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Authors
Ned is a sports writer at RadioTimes.com. He has covered a host of sports from EFL football, international cricket and golf all the way through to bike polo and triathlon.
