Separate opening ceremonies: Date, Bangladesh time, performers
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will make history not only as the first edition to be hosted by three nations -- Mexico, Canada and the United States -- but also as the first to feature three separate opening ceremonies.
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According to FIFA, the tournament will begin in Mexico on June 11, launching a trilogy of celebrations across the host countries. Each opening ceremony will start 90 minutes before the host nation's opening match, blending music, culture and football while showcasing the individuality of each country and the unity of the expanded global tournament.
The first ceremony will take place at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City at 11:30 pm Bangladesh time on June 11. The second will be held at BMO Field in Toronto at 11:30 pm on June 12, while the third will unfold at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles at 5:30 am Bangladesh time on June 13.
Several internationally renowned artists are set to perform. Shakira will headline in Mexico, Nora Fatehi will perform in Canada, and Katy Perry will lead the festivities in the United States. Bangladeshi-American DJ and music producer Sanjoy Deb will also take the stage in Toronto.
FIFA is increasingly using music to transform the World Cup into a broader cultural event that appeals beyond traditional football audiences. The organisation launched its FIFA Sound initiative in 2021, describing it as a strategy to connect with fans worldwide through the shared passions of football and music.
The celebrations begin on the eve of the tournament with concerts in Mexico City, Toronto and Los Angeles featuring a mix of global superstars and major regional acts.
Among the international names involved are American pop star Katy Perry, Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, US rapper Future, Brazilian artist Anitta, Thai K-pop star LISA, Nigerian afrobeats sensation Rema, and French rapper Vegedream. They will perform alongside artists with strong local followings, including Mexican group Los Ángeles Azules and Bollywood singer Nora Fatehi.
"There’s a concerted effort around the FIFA World Cup and their marketing team to leverage music as a through line to connect different audiences from around the world," said Clayton Durant, a music industry entrepreneur and professor at New York University.
Official World Cup song
For the tournament's official anthem, FIFA has turned once again to Shakira, whose 2010 World Cup hit Waka Waka became a global phenomenon.
Her new track, "Dai Dai," featuring Nigerian singer Burna Boy, blends Latin pop with afrobeats. The song appears on the official 18-track World Cup album, which also includes artists such as Major Lazer, Daddy Yankee and The Rolling Stones, reflecting FIFA's continued effort to mix genres and audiences.
Mexico opening ceremony performers
Shakira
Burna Boy
Alejandro Fernández
Belinda
Danny Ocean
J Balvin
Lila Downs
Los Ángeles Azules
Maná
Tyla
According to FIFA, Mexican culture will take "center stage" through music, dance and artistry, featuring indigenous talent and modern folkloric performers.
Canada opening ceremony performers
The Toronto ceremony will feature:
Alanis Morissette
Alessia Cara
Alyanna
Jessie Reyez
Michael Bublé
Nora Fatehi
Sanjoy
Vegedream
William Prince
United States opening ceremony performers
Los Angeles will host performances by:
Katy Perry
Future
Anitta
LISA
Rema
Tyla
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