Where to Watch the World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony: Time, Performers, TV Coverage and What Fans Should Know

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has opened with something the tournament has never seen before: not one opening ceremony, but three. Across two days and three host nations, Mexico, Canada and the United States are turning the start of the expanded World Cup into a continental celebration of football, music and national identity.

For fans searching where to watch the World Cup, how to watch the World Cup opening ceremony live, what time Shakira is performing, who is singing at the World Cup 2026, or whether artists such as Burna Boy, Tyla, LISA and Shakira are part of the show, the answer depends on which ceremony you want to watch.

The first celebration takes place in Mexico City before Mexico faces South Africa. Canada follows with its own ceremony in Toronto, before the United States hosts a major entertainment showcase in Los Angeles ahead of USA vs Paraguay.

This guide explains the full viewing schedule, performers, ceremony times, matches, streaming options and key background behind the 2026 World Cup inauguration.

A Historic World Cup Begins Across Three Countries

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a landmark edition for several reasons. It is being staged across Mexico, Canada and the United States, making it the first World Cup hosted by three nations. It is also the biggest World Cup tournament in history, with 48 national teams competing instead of the previous 32-team format.

The tournament runs from June 11 through July 19, with all 104 matches taking place across the host region. The final is scheduled for New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

But before the football fully takes over, the tournament begins with three opening ceremonies designed to reflect the cultures of the host nations while also presenting the World Cup as a global entertainment event.

Where to Watch the World Cup Opening Ceremony 2026

In the United States, all three 2026 World Cup opening ceremonies are scheduled to air on the FOX family of networks. English-language coverage is available on FOX and FS1.

Fans can also stream every ceremony and match live on FOX One. Tubi is set to simulcast the Mexico and USA ceremonies, along with their opening matches, for free.

That means viewers asking “where can I watch the World Cup?” or “how can I watch the World Cup opening ceremony?” have several options depending on access and preference:

FOX and FS1 will carry English-language coverage in the United States. FOX One will stream the ceremonies and matches live and on demand. Tubi will offer free simulcasts of the Mexico and USA opening ceremonies and matches.

For viewers outside the United States, coverage will depend on local FIFA World Cup broadcast rights holders in each country.

Mexico Opening Ceremony: Date, Time, Venue and Performers

The first World Cup 2026 opening ceremony takes place in Mexico City.

Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026
Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Mexico City Stadium, Mexico
Match: Mexico vs South Africa

Mexico’s ceremony opens the tournament before the co-hosts face South Africa. The match carries historical weight because Mexico and South Africa also met on June 11 at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, drawing 1-1 when South Africa hosted the tournament.

The Mexico opening ceremony features a major lineup of Latin, African and international performers. The scheduled artists include Maná, Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Tyla, Burna Boy, J Balvin, Shakira and Danny Ocean.

Shakira’s role is one of the biggest attention points for fans searching for “Shakira World Cup,” “Shakira World Cup song 2026,” “Shakira performance World Cup 2026,” or “when is Shakira performing for World Cup 2026.” In the Mexico ceremony, she appears as part of a star-studded lineup before Mexico vs South Africa.

Burna Boy, one of the leading global Afrobeats stars, is also part of the Mexico ceremony, while South African singer Tyla adds another major cross-continental presence to the show.

What Time Is the World Cup Opening Ceremony?

The first opening ceremony begins Thursday, June 11, at 1:30 p.m. ET in Mexico City. The Mexico vs South Africa match follows at 3 p.m. ET.

The Canada and United States ceremonies take place the next day, Friday, June 12.

Canada’s ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m. ET in Toronto before Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina. The United States ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m. ET in Los Angeles before USA vs Paraguay.

For fans asking “what time is the opening ceremony for the World Cup?” the most direct answer is: the first ceremony starts at 1:30 p.m. ET on June 11, with two more ceremonies following on June 12.

Canada Opening Ceremony: A Homegrown and International Lineup

Canada hosts the second opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup.

Date: Friday, June 12, 2026
Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Toronto Stadium, Canada
Match: Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina

Canada’s ceremony takes place before the national team’s opening match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The performance lineup features a mix of Canadian and international artists, including Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez, Michael Bublé, Nora Fatehi, William Prince, Elyanna, Sanjoy and Vegedream.

The ceremony gives Canada its own opening-stage moment in a tournament shared across North America. It also marks Canada’s first World Cup match at home, making the occasion especially significant for Canadian football fans.

United States Opening Ceremony: LISA, Katy Perry, Future, Anitta and Rema

The final ceremony takes place in Los Angeles before the United States begins its campaign.

Date: Friday, June 12, 2026
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Los Angeles Stadium, California
Match: USA vs Paraguay

The United States ceremony is billed as the most star-studded of the three. The lineup includes Katy Perry, LISA, Rema, Anitta and Future.

For fans searching “who is performing at the World Cup 2026?” or “who’s singing at the World Cup 2026?” the answer varies by ceremony, but the U.S. event brings together pop, K-pop, Afrobeats, Brazilian pop and hip-hop on one stage.

LISA’s inclusion gives the ceremony a major K-pop presence, while Rema adds another Afrobeats highlight after Burna Boy’s role in Mexico. Anitta brings Brazilian pop to the American ceremony, and Future adds hip-hop star power.

Is Salma Hayek Performing at the World Cup?

Search interest around “Salma Hayek World Cup” has grown alongside the Mexico opening ceremony, but the performer lists provided for the three ceremonies do not include Salma Hayek as a scheduled musical performer.

That does not reduce the strong Mexican cultural identity of the opening day. Mexico’s ceremony includes major Mexican artists such as Maná, Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Lila Downs and Los Ángeles Azules, alongside international names including Shakira, J Balvin, Burna Boy, Tyla and Danny Ocean.

Mexico National Anthem and South Africa National Anthem

The Mexico opener also includes national anthem moments before the match. Alejandro Fernández, the son of veteran crooner Vicente Fernández, performs the Mexican national anthem. Tyla performs the South African national anthem.

Those anthem performances are especially meaningful because the opening match brings together the 2026 co-hosts Mexico and South Africa, the host nation of the 2010 World Cup.

For viewers searching “Mexico national anthem,” “Mexican national anthem,” or “South Africa national anthem” around the World Cup opening, these performances are part of the pre-match ceremony around Mexico vs South Africa.

Why the 2026 Opening Ceremony Format Is Different

Traditionally, the FIFA World Cup begins with a single opening ceremony before the first match. The 2026 edition changes that model because the tournament is shared by three countries.

Rather than concentrating all symbolic attention in one city, FIFA and organizers are giving Mexico, Canada and the United States their own opening moments. That approach reflects the expanded scale of the tournament itself.

With 48 teams, 104 matches and three host nations, the 2026 World Cup is designed to be larger than any previous edition. The opening ceremonies mirror that expansion by spreading the launch across multiple cities and time zones.

How Long Does the World Cup Last?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19. That means the tournament lasts 39 days from the opening match in Mexico City to the final in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Across that period, 48 teams compete in the expanded format. The tournament begins with group-stage matches and ends with the final at New York New Jersey Stadium.

What Fans Saw in Mexico City

The opening in Mexico City combined football, music, color and national pride. Thousands of fans arrived at the stadium wearing Mexico’s team colors, creating a vibrant atmosphere around the first match.

The ceremony featured performers in indigenous clothing, others dressed in gold, and large visual elements including giant golden footballs. Fireworks, music and crowd energy helped set the tone before Mexico vs South Africa kicked off.

For Mexico, the moment carried deep sporting history. The country is hosting World Cup football on home soil for the first time in 40 years, and the Mexico City stadium remains one of the most iconic venues in the sport.

Security, Tickets and Matchday Experience

The 2026 World Cup is also a major logistical and security operation. With matches across 16 stadiums and three countries, authorities are preparing for millions of fans and visitors.

Security measures include tactical teams and large-scale coordination across U.S. host cities. Fans attending matches in person should expect stadium entry screening and are advised to arrive early.

There are also stadium rules on what supporters can bring. Nontransparent bags and hazardous items are not permitted. Hard reusable water bottles are not allowed, but one soft, plastic, disposable, factory-sealed water bottle up to 20 ounces is permitted per spectator at stadiums in the U.S. and Canada.

Ticket prices have also become a major talking point, with some group-stage tickets reaching hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on the match and seating category.

Why the Opening Ceremony Matters Beyond Entertainment

The World Cup opening ceremony is not just a pre-match show. It is a global cultural signal.

For Mexico, it is a chance to present national pride, football history and musical heritage to a worldwide audience. For Canada, it is a milestone as the country hosts World Cup football on home soil. For the United States, it is another opportunity to place football within the broader entertainment culture of one of the world’s largest media markets.

The mix of artists also tells a wider story. Shakira connects the 2026 tournament to the long history of World Cup music. Burna Boy, Tyla and Rema represent the global rise of African pop sounds. LISA brings K-pop’s global fan power. Anitta adds Brazilian pop culture, while artists such as Maná, Alejandro Fernández, Belinda and Lila Downs ground the Mexico ceremony in local and regional identity.

Conclusion: A Bigger World Cup Begins With a Bigger Opening

The 2026 FIFA World Cup opens with a format that matches the scale of the tournament itself. Three countries, three ceremonies, 48 teams and 104 matches signal a new era for the world’s biggest football event.

For viewers, the key details are clear: the Mexico opening ceremony begins June 11 at 1:30 p.m. ET, Canada follows June 12 at 1:30 p.m. ET, and the United States hosts its ceremony June 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET. In the United States, fans can watch on FOX, FS1 and FOX One, with Tubi simulcasting the Mexico and USA ceremonies and matches for free.

From Shakira and Burna Boy in Mexico to LISA, Katy Perry, Future, Anitta and Rema in Los Angeles, the 2026 World Cup is beginning as both a sporting event and a global entertainment spectacle.