Shakira and Burna Boy will perform “Dai Dai,” the official song of the 2026 World Cup, live for the first time during the tournament’s opening ceremony on June 11, 2026. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters
The 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be an extraordinary event, featuring multi-nation opening ceremonies and culminating on July 19 with a Super Bowl-style Halftime Show for the final in New Jersey.
This World Cup marks a milestone in FIFA’s history, as it is only the second time the tournament has been co-hosted by multiple countries. The first instance occurred in 2002 when South Korea and Japan jointly hosted the event, with South Korea taking the lead in staging the opening ceremony. This time around, FIFA plans to hold distinct opening ceremonies in each participating country prior to the kickoff of the first match.
Let’s look at the details of the official performer lineups, event start times and broadcasting schedules.
Who are performing at FIFA opening ceremonies?
The tournament is set to kick off on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City, hosting the first of three opening ceremonies of the 2026 World Cup.
The opening ceremony in Mexico will feature performances from exemplary artists, including the Grammy Award-winning Mexican pop band Mana, who are known for their energetic shows. Representing the host nation, Alejandro Fernández will perform the Mexican national anthem, while Tyla will perform the national anthem of South Africa. They will be joined by other celebrated artists like Ryan Castro, Belinda, Burna Boy, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules and Shakira. The opening ceremony will begin at 10:30 p.m. IST on June 11, and the match will take place at 12:30 a.m. IST on June 12.
As the tournament continues, Canada will host its opening ceremony just a day later, on June 12, in Toronto, during the group stage match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Taking place 90 minutes before the kickoff match, the ceremony in Canada will showcase performances of the national anthems, with Alanis Morissette singing the Canadian anthem and Aleksandar Gajić presenting the anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Actor and comedian Will Arnett, FIFA World Cup 2026 Ambassador, will join the ceremony to welcome fans to Toronto, embodying the spirit of unity that characterises the tournament.
This ceremony will showcase Canadian talent, with performances by renowned artists such as Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Elyanna, Jessie Reyez, Michael Bublé, Nora Fatehi, Vegedream and William Prince. Bangladeshi American DJ Sanjoy, who is based in Los Angeles, is also set to add an eclectic touch to the festivities.
Later that same day, the United States will host its own opening ceremony in Los Angeles ahead of the U.S. team’s match against Paraguay. The ceremony will feature American singer-songwriter Katy Perry, known for her dynamic performances and chart-topping hits. She will be joined by Atlanta rap star Nayvadius Wilburn, better known as Future, who will bring a different musical flavor to the event, appealing to a broad audience.
FIFA Superbowl-style halftime show details
On July 19, a Super Bowl-style halftime show will take place during the World Cup final at the New Jersey Stadium, featuring K-pop sensation BTS, the “Queen of Pop” Madonna and Colombian superstar Shakira as co-headliners for this groundbreaking event.
The Halftime Show of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which seeks to raise $100 million to expand access to quality education and football opportunities for children globally. Over $30 million has already been collected, and the momentum is growing, as $1 from every ticket purchased for FIFA World Cup 2026 matches will be contributed to support social projects worldwide.
Where to watch the FIFA opening ceremony in India?
The Indian audience can watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony live on ZEE5 (for digital streaming) and the Unite8 Sports network (for television).
Published – June 10, 2026 04:19 pm IST
