The FIFA World Cup 2026 will officially begin in Mexico City on Thursday, 11 June, with an opening ceremony at Mexico City Stadium ahead of the tournament’s first match.
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The FIFA World Cup 2026 will officially begin in Mexico City on Thursday, 11 June, with an opening ceremony at Mexico City Stadium ahead of the tournament’s first match.
The ceremony will start 90 minutes before kick-off and will feature performances by Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná and Tyla. The performances will showcase music from the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted across Canada, Mexico and the United States. Mexico will stage the first of three opening ceremonies planned for the tournament, with additional ceremonies set to take place in Canada and the United States.
The ceremonies are being produced in partnership with Balich Wonder Studio and will feature a shared creative concept inspired by the FIFA World Cup Trophy and the culture of each host nation. In Mexico, the ceremony will incorporate the traditional art of papel picado.
Gianni Infantino said the ceremonies would reflect the culture of each host country while celebrating the unity of the tournament.
Fans attending the ceremony have been encouraged to arrive early, with stadium gates opening four hours before kick-off. FIFA said supporters will have access to entertainment, activations and other pre-match experiences.
Mexico will face South Africa in the opening match of the tournament. The stadium will become the first venue to host matches across three FIFA World Cups.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will feature 104 matches across 16 host cities. The tournament will begin on June 11 in Mexico City and conclude with the final on 19 July at New York New Jersey Stadium.
IOL