2026 World Cup Opening Ceremonies Held in Mexico and Los Angeles

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off with a series of star-studded opening ceremonies held across the tournament's co-host nations [1, 2]. While the festivities drew large crowds and featured international musical acts, the events also faced scrutiny regarding attendance and logistical challenges [1, 2].

Key takeaways

• The tournament began on June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City with a ceremony featuring Shakira and Burna Boy [2].
• A second ceremony took place at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles prior to the United States men's national team's opening match against Paraguay [1].
• Performers throughout the opening events included Katy Perry, J Balvin, Tyla, and various other global artists [1, 2].
• The Los Angeles ceremony drew comparisons to the Mexico City event due to reports of empty stands during some performances [1].

Global Celebrations and Stadium Atmosphere

The opening festivities in Mexico City were inspired by the nation's ancestral heritage, beginning with a production that featured a giant golden sphere transforming into the World Cup trophy [2]. The ceremony included visual elements reflecting Aztec culture and featured performances by Maná, Danny Ocean, Los Ángeles Azules, and J Balvin [2]. The event concluded with a fireworks display in the colors of the Mexican flag before the opening match between Mexico and South Africa [2].

In Los Angeles, the ceremony featured Katy Perry as the headliner, following a presentation of the flags from all 48 participating nations [1]. Other artists, including Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema, and Tyla, also participated in the event [1]. Despite the star-studded lineup, reports noted that the stands at SoFi Stadium appeared somewhat empty during many of the performances, a detail that drew direct comparisons to the earlier events held at Estadio Azteca [1].

Why it matters

The 2026 World Cup is being hosted across three nations, with games scheduled to run through the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium [1]. As the tournament progresses, the focus shifts to the 16 host cities across North America, including Dallas-Fort Worth, Toronto, Vancouver, and New York-New Jersey [2]. While the opening ceremonies served as a global showcase for the tournament, the events also highlighted the logistical scale of hosting the competition across multiple countries, with organizers managing everything from stadium logistics to local community protests in host cities like Mexico City [2].