World Cup 2026 starts with something never seen before: three opening ceremonies in three countries. Mexico City opens the tournament on June 11, Toronto follows on June 12, and Los Angeles closes the trilogy on the same day. Each show is produced by Italian creative director Marco Balich and his Balich Wonder Studio, under a single concept that reimagines the World Cup trophy through the culture of each host nation. Here is everything fans need to know about the three ceremonies: when, where, who performs and how to be part of them.

Mexico City, June 11: the main ceremony at the Azteca

The main ceremony takes place at Mexico City Stadium, the Estadio Azteca, starting at 11:30 AM local time, about 90 minutes before the opening match, Mexico against South Africa, kicks off at 1:00 PM. Shakira and Burna Boy headline, giving the live debut of Dai Dai, the official FIFA World Cup 2026 song. They are joined by Maná, Belinda, J Balvin, Alejandro Fernández, Lila Downs and Los Angeles Azules, in a show built around papel picado, Mexico's traditional cut-paper folk art. The Azteca becomes the first stadium in history to host three World Cup opening matches, and around 80,000 fans will be inside for the ceremony.

Toronto, June 12: Canada's historic night

Canada hosts its own opening ceremony in Toronto on June 12, ahead of the hosts' Group B match against Bosnia and Herzegovina at BMO Field. It is the first World Cup match ever played on Canadian soil, and the ceremony celebrates Canadian culture and the multicultural energy of Toronto. Fans with tickets should arrive early: gates open hours before kick-off, and the ceremony starts well before the match. For Canadians, this is the night their country has waited decades for, and the waterfront fan festival will be packed from the afternoon.

Los Angeles, June 12: Hollywood takes the stage

The trilogy ends at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, where the American opening ceremony takes place on June 12 before the USA begin their campaign against Paraguay. Katy Perry and LISA headline the Los Angeles show, and LISA becomes the first female K-pop idol and the first Thai artist to headline a World Cup opening ceremony. The show's theme is the shining trophy, and the scale is pure Hollywood: big screens, big sound and a stadium that feels like the future. For American fans, it is the start of a home World Cup, 32 years after the country last hosted in 1994.

What the three shows have in common

All three ceremonies share the same soundtrack, the official FIFA World Cup 2026 album, performed live across the host cities. Each show combines welcoming speeches, a parade of the 48 nations' flags, the presentation of the match ball and around 30 minutes of musical entertainment. The ceremonies are deliberately not Super Bowl-style spectacles: the focus is on culture, colour and the flags of the 48 teams. Fans inside the stadiums also take part directly in the performances, through interactive moments designed for opening day. It is a new idea for a World Cup, and it works because each country tells its own story.

How to watch without a ticket

If you do not have a ticket for the opening matches, you can still be part of the ceremonies. All three shows are broadcast live around the world, with the Mexico City ceremony as the main global broadcast. In the host cities, the FIFA Fan Festivals will screen the ceremonies on big screens, free of charge, with live music and food. In Mexico City, the Zócalo fan festival is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of fans. In Toronto and Los Angeles, the fan zones will be packed too. Arrive early, bring water, and expect crowds.

Practical tips for ceremony day

Fans going to the ceremonies should plan carefully. Arrive at the stadium at least three hours before kick-off: security checks are long on opening day, and the ceremonies start 90 minutes before the matches. Bring sun protection and water for Mexico City, where the altitude and the sun are strong. In Toronto, expect a long day: the ceremony, the match and the celebrations afterwards. In Los Angeles, allow extra time for traffic around SoFi Stadium. And remember: the ceremonies are part of the ticket for the opening matches, so there is no separate ticket to buy.