FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony: Full List of Performers, Schedule, When and Where to Watch Ceremonies in India

The wait of four long years finally comes to an end today. The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially gets underway this Thursday, June 11, marking the start of the most expansive and highly anticipated football tournament in history.

For the very first time, FIFA is expanding the festivities to match the scale of its three host nations. Instead of a single kick-off event, the world will be treated to three separate opening ceremonies spanning Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Promising a blend of music, football, and culture, these 90-minute extravaganzas have been produced by Marco Balich, the creative mastermind behind the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

When to Watch the 2026 Opening Ceremonies in India

With three host countries, the kick-off celebrations will be spread across three consecutive days. Indian fans can tune in at the following times (IST) to catch the pre-match spectacles:

Mexico Opening Ceremony: June 11 (Thursday) at 10:30 PM IST. Followed by the opening match: Mexico vs. South Africa.

Canada Opening Ceremony: June 12 (Friday) at 11:00 PM IST. Followed by the match: Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina.

USA Opening Ceremony: June 13 (Saturday) at 5:00 AM IST. Followed by the match: USA vs. Paraguay.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Performers

Tonight's Mega Kickoff in Mexico City

Today's ceremony carries immense historical weight. Taking place at the legendary Estadio Azteca which now officially becomes the only stadium in history to host matches across three different World Cups (1970, 1986, 2026), the show will be a masterclass in global and local entertainment.

Global pop icon Shakira returns to the World Cup stage to headline the event. She will be joined by Grammy-winning Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy to perform the live debut of the tournament's official anthem, Dai Dai.

Alejandro Fernandez will sing the Mexican national anthem, while Tyla will deliver the South African national anthem before the match begins. Hollywood star Salma Hayek Pinault will also make a special appearance as a FIFA World Cup 2026 ambassador.

The 90-minute extravaganza will feature performances by Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin (joined by Ryan Castro), Belinda, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, the iconic rock band Mana, and Los Angeles Azules.

What's Next: Expanding the Party to Canada and the USA

The excitement doesn't stop tonight. Over the weekend, the footballing party moves north for two more massive opening celebrations, each bringing its own distinct visual and cultural style.

Canada's "Cultural Mosaic" in Toronto (June 12)

On Friday night for viewers in India (11:00 PM IST), Canada will step onto the global stage at the Toronto Stadium. The ceremony will feature a unique countdown designed to take viewers on a "journey across Canada," highlighting the theme of a cultural mosaic.

Iconic singer Alanis Morissette will perform the Canadian national anthem, while Aleksandar Gajić will deliver the national anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Actor and comedian Will Arnett will also take the stage to welcome fans as an official FIFA Ambassador.

The diverse talent roster includes Michael Bublé, Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez, Elyanna, Vegedream, William Prince, Sanjoy, and Indian-origin Bollywood sensation Nora Fatehi.

The USA's "Hollywood-Style" Show in Los Angeles (June 13)

The opening trifecta will conclude on Saturday morning for Indian fans (5:00 AM IST) at the state-of-the-art Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium).

FIFA has promised a dazzling, Hollywood-inspired production, characterized by creative director Marco Balich as a visually stunning "super shiny, glowing cup" theme.
The star-studded American kick-off will feature blockbuster performances from global pop icon Katy Perry,

BLACKPINK's LISA, Afrobeats star Rema, rapper Future, and Brazilian superstar Anitta.

Where to Watch FIFA WC 2026 Opening Ceremony in India?

Football fans in India have multiple seamless options to watch all three ceremonies and the matches live across digital and linear television platforms:

Live Streaming: The entire celebration and the subsequent matches will be streamed live on Zee5 (via their website and mobile application) and Unite8 Sports.

TV Broadcast: The ceremonies and select World Cup games are expected to be aired on DD Sports and Unite8 Sports network, as the Indian government has included them under its "mandatory sharing framework."