On Thursday, June 11, 2026, Mexico will host the opening of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, marking the beginning of a tournament that will be broadcast across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The event will feature a celebration of sound, color, and cultural significance, highlighting the shared passion for the sport that brings together millions of fans worldwide.
The opening ceremony at Mexico City Stadium, scheduled to take place 90 minutes prior to kick-off, will feature performances by several renowned artists from the global music community. These performers include Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná, and Tyla, who will deliver a dynamic showcase to introduce the Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Album.
“The FIFA World Cup is a moment the world shares, and that begins with how we open it,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “Starting with Mexico City and continuing the next days with Toronto and Los Angeles, these ceremonies will bring together music, culture and football in a way that reflects both the individuality of each nation and the unity that defines this tournament. It is a powerful way to begin a truly global celebration.”
As the inaugural nation to host the tournament, Mexico will initiate a series of opening ceremonies that will extend across Canada and the United States. Produced in collaborative partnership with Balich Wonder Studio, each ceremony will be unified by a common creative theme that reinterprets the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy through the cultural perspectives of each host country. In Mexico, this concept is expressed through the detailed and festive art of papel picado, serving as a meaningful representation of tradition, craftsmanship, and celebration.
Attendees at the stadium are encouraged to actively participate in the event and are advised to arrive early. Each opening ceremony will commence 90 minutes prior to kickoff, beginning in Mexico City on Thursday, June 11, at 11:30 AM local time. Gates will open four hours before the match, providing a variety of experiences such as exclusive activations, rewards, and pre-match entertainment.
Mexico will compete against South Africa in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted at a stadium that will become historic as the first to host matches in three consecutive FIFA World Cups.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 104 matches across 16 host cities, starting on Thursday, June 11, in Mexico City, and concluding with the final on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Photo/FIFA
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