World Cup opening ceremony 2026: How to watch, TV and streaming details, and who is performing

The World Cup is set to welcome an estimated five million fans to North America in the coming weeks as football superstars Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, and Lamine Yamal compete for the sport’s biggest prize.

Four years on from the very first winter tournament in Qatar, reigning champions Argentina will look to hold onto their crown with the help of legendary playmaker Lionel Messi, who is expected to compete in his final World Cup at the ripe old age of 38.

As ever, the tournament’s opening ceremony is packed to the brim with superstar performers, and is expected to go off with a bang. However, this year, we’ll be treated to not one, but three opening ceremonies as the tournament gets underway across the pond.

Here is everything you need to know about the World Cup 2026 opening ceremony:

When is the World Cup 2026 opening ceremony?

The largest tournament in its history, this summer’s World Cup is the first to be hosted across three different countries. This has resulted in FIFA breaking their usual tradition by hosting a trio of opening ceremonies across each host nation.

This means that Mexico, Canada and the United States will all host their own celebration, which is set to take place 90 minutes before each host nation’s respective opening game.

• The first of three World Cup opening ceremonies will take place on Thursday 11 June 2026 in Coyoacan, Mexico City, Mexico prior to the Group A game - and tournament opener - between Mexico and South Africa.
• The following day, Friday 12 June, Canada will host it’s opening ceremony at the BMO Field in Toronto. Taking place ay 6.30pm UK time, it will be held before Canada’s game with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• The final opening ceremony will take place at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, United States. This will begin at 12.30am on Saturday 13 June. The Group D game between the United States and Paraguay will take place after the ceremony.

There will also be a closing ceremony, which will coincide with the final of the competition, will take place on Sunday 19 July 2026.

Where is the World Cup 2026 opening ceremony taking place?

As attested to above, there are three opening ceremonies taking place at this summer’s tournament. However, the first one will take place at the 87,523 capacity Estadio Azteca in Coyoacan, Mexico City, Mexico.

The opening game between Mexico and South Africa marks a historic milestone in the tournament’s history, with the Estadio Azteca becoming the first stadium in the world to host three different World Cup opening matches. It previously opened the 1970 and 1986 tournaments.

World Cup 2026 opening ceremony on TV and streaming details, start time

You will be able to watch all three World Cup 2026 opening ceremonies on free-to-air TV, with both the BBC and ITV [STV] broadcasting them. As attested to above, the opening ceremonies are set to begin 90 minutes before each host nation's first game, meaning they will be shown as part of the live match build-up.

You can watch each opening ceremony as follows:

Mexico Opening Ceremony (Estadio Azteca, Coyoacan)

• Date: Thursday 11 June at 6.30pm
• TV Channel: ITV/STV
• Streaming: ITV Player/STV Player

Canada Opening Ceremony (BMO Field, Toronto)

• Date: Friday 12 June at 6.30pm
• TV Channel: BBC
• Streaming: BBC iPlayer or the BBC Sport Website

United States Opening Ceremony (SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles Stadium)

• Date: Saturday 13 June at 12.30am
• TV Channel: BBC
• Streaming: BBC iPlayer or the BBC Sport Website

Who is performing at the World Cup 2026 opening ceremony

• Mexico: The headline act will come from music superstars Shakira and Burna Boy. They will be performing the official tournament song, Dai Dai. They are also scheduled performances from Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Angeles Azules, Mana, and Tyla.
• Canada: Signing sensation, and Canada’s very own, Michael Buble will headline the event, with Alessia Cara, Alanis Morissette, Jessie Reyez, Nora Fatehi, Sanjoy, Vegedream and William Prince also set to perform.
• United States: Expected to feature large-scale visuals and ‘immersive’ storytelling performances, featured artists includes pop superstar Katy Perry, alongside Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema and Tyla

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