The FIFA 2026 World Cup has officially begun, marking a historic moment as the tournament is co-hosted across three nations for the first time: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The event, which commenced on June 11 and is scheduled to conclude on July 19, has been launched with a series of high-profile opening ceremonies featuring a diverse array of international musical talent.
The US opening ceremony, held yesterday (June 12), captivated audiences with a line-up of global superstars. Following the display of the FIFA World Cup trophy, American rapper Future and South African singer Tyla took to the stage, performing 'Game Time' from the official FIFA World Cup 2026 album. They were subsequently joined by BLACKPINK's Lisa, Brazilian artist Anitta, and Nigerian musician Rema, who collaborated on another album track, 'Goals'. The ceremony culminated with Katy Perry, who performed 'Wonder' from her latest album '143' alongside 10-year-old Norwegian singer Tius Luka, who recorded his part of the song years prior.
Beyond the US, the other co-hosting nations also celebrated the tournament's commencement with their own vibrant ceremonies. In Mexico, the opening ceremony on Thursday (June 11) saw performances from Colombian superstar Shakira, Nigerian artist Burna Boy, and Colombian reggaeton singer J Balvin. Meanwhile, Canada's opening event featured Canadian music icons Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, and Michael Bublé, setting a festive tone across all host cities.
Looking ahead, the tournament's musical spectacle is set to continue with the inaugural World Cup Final Halftime Show on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin, this highly anticipated event will feature performances from Shakira, Madonna, and the K-pop sensation BTS, promising a grand finale to the month-long football championship.
In related news for UK football fans, the iconic England World Cup anthem 'Three Lions' by Baddiel, Skinner & Lightning Seeds is set for a 30th-anniversary re-release. Additionally, Belle & Sebastian have unveiled 'It Only Takes One Lion', their anthem for Scotland's 2026 World Cup campaign, reflecting the widespread cultural engagement surrounding the tournament.