FIFA announced Friday that Mexico, the United States and Canada will host three historic ceremonies for the inauguration of the 2026 World Cup with a wide range of international artists including Colombia’s J Balvin, USA’s Katy Perry and Canada’s Michael Bublé.
“The FIFA World Cup is a moment that the world shares, and that starts with the way we inaugurate it. Starting in Mexico City and continuing in Toronto and Los Angeles. These ceremonies will bring together music, culture and soccer in a way that reflects both the individuality of each nation and the unity that defines this tournament,” said Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, in a statement.
On Thursday, June 11, the Azteca Stadium, which will become the only stadium in history to host three World Cup kickoffs, will open the tournament with the match between Mexico and South Africa.
Before that, it will be the stage for a celebration full of sound and color with the participation of Mexicans Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules and Maná; Colombia’s J Balvin, Venezuela’s Danny Ocean and South Africa’s Tyla.
Mexico will be the first country in the tournament to inaugurate this trilogy of opening ceremonies, which will continue in Canada and the United States.
“This is a powerful way to begin a truly global celebration,” Infantino added.
World Cup to feature three opening ceremonies: Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, J Balvin, Lisa and Michael Bubblé
Canada, for its part, will hold its opening ceremony on June 12 prior to the match between its national team and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto.
Among the artists contemplated for this show are Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Elyanna, Jessie Reyez, Michael Bublé, Nora Fatehi, Sanjoy, Vegedream and William Prince.
On the same day, the United States will kick off its participation in the tournament against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California.
The artists scheduled for this ceremony are Katy Perry, rapper Future, DJ Sanjoy, Lisa from Blackpink and Paraguayan singer Marilina Bogado.
These talents will give life to the Official Album of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will also feature the Colombian Shakira, who along with Nigerian singer Burna Boy, will be in charge of performing the song ‘Dai Dai’.
The World Cup will feature 104 matches in 16 host cities; it will kick off on Thursday, June 11 in Mexico City and will culminate on Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, New York, reported Agencia EFE.
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