Three Opening Ceremonies Held as 2026 World Cup Begins Across North America

The 2026 FIFA World Cup opened with three separate ceremonies across its co-host nations as matches began in 11 cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Shakira headlined the first ceremony on June 11 before Mexico faced South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. She performed the official tournament song "Dai Dai" with Burna Boy.

Additional performers included Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná and Tyla. Canada hosted its ceremony the next day at the expanded BMO Field in Toronto, where the stadium increased capacity from 28,000 to 45,000 seats. Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez and Michael Bublé performed before Canada played Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The United States held its ceremony at SoFi Stadium in the Los Angeles area on June 12. Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema and Tyla performed. S. Men's National Team then defeated Paraguay 4-1.

The team wore new Nike kits that included stripes from 32 years ago. S. " The FBI deployed tactical teams to Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York-New Jersey, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle.

Marlo Graham, special agent in charge of the FBI Atlanta field office, said tactical teams had practiced with other agencies for months. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are also involved in security. White House border czar Tom Homan said last week that ICE's "primary focus" would be national security rather than immigration enforcement.

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry to the United States over the weekend due to "vetting concerns," Customs and Border Protection said. FIFA confirmed the denial. FIFA's stadium code of conduct bars nontransparent bags, weapons, helmets, umbrellas, strollers and chairs.