Three Opening Ceremonies and the Biggest Stars: Everything Ahead of the World Cup Kickoff

Shakira, who is set to break a record, Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette and Katy Perry are just some of the stars who will appear as part of the opening events for the World Cup, which will be held for the first time in three different matches and stadiums.

Ben Goldfriend, N12, published: 11.06.26, 15:00

Shakira | Photo: Buda Mende, Getty Images

1,271 days after the 2022 World Cup final, it is finally happening and World Cup 2026 is opening. World Cup 2026, the first ever in which 48 national teams will play, is also the first to open three times in three different ceremonies, tonight (Thursday, 22:00) at the legendary Azteca Stadium, tomorrow (Friday, 22:00) in Toronto, and early Saturday morning (4:00) in California.

Azteca Stadium in Mexico Performers: Shakira, Burna Boy and J Balvin, Tayla, Maná and Alejandro Fernández Match: Mexico vs. South Africa, 11.6 at 22:00

If you are interested in milestones, this is the match in which World Cup 2026 officially opens. Azteca Stadium in Mexico will be the first ever to host three opening matches of three different World Cups, after the 1970 and 1986 tournaments, and as such it will host Shakira in the main show, breaking a record with four performances in four different World Cups, more World Cup appearances than Italy’s national team made during that same period.

In the required South American atmosphere for the region and the period, J Balvin will also perform, alongside the local band Maná and Alejandro Fernández, while Burna Boy and Tayla will provide the African touch. The total performance time is expected to be about 17 minutes, so it is better not to blink.

BMO Stadium in Toronto Performers: Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Elyanna and Jessie Reyez Match: Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 12.6 at 22:00

A day after the opening of the World Cup in Mexico, the second opening night will take place, this time in the least "sexy" of the three destinations, Canada. The host team, which will host the tournament for the first time and is appearing in the World Cup for only the third time in its history, does not expect to go very far, but of course they did not forgo the performances. The biggest star is of course Michael Bublé, but the local Alanis Morissette will be the one to draw the crowd.

SOFI Stadium in California Performers: Katy Perry, Future, Lisa, Anitta, Rema and Tayla Match: USA vs. Paraguay, 13.6 at 4:00

The night between Friday and Saturday will bring the real opening of the World Cup. Donald Trump will arrive, hundreds of millions of viewers will wait in front of television screens, and just before the host team begins the event it has waited for for about eight years, since it was announced that it would take place on American soil, Katy Perry will energize the crowd. The rappers Future and Lisa will remind football viewers what a halftime show is, at least according to Donald Trump, but the Brazilian Anitta will also set the South American tone.

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