On Thursday night, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will open with a multi‑city spectacle, beginnng in Mexico City with Colombian pop icon Shakira and Nigerian superstar Burna Boy performing the official anthem “Dai Dai.” The show will then move to Toronto, Canada,and finish in Los Angeles , where Katy Perry will headline a 90‑minute high‑energy celebration.

Mexico City’s Shakira‑Burna Boy Duet Sets the Tone

According to the source, Shakira will open the tournament in Mexico City at 5.30pm UK time, joined by Burna Boy for a live rendition of “Dai Dai.” The performance is billed as the first of three star‑studded opening ceremonies across the three host nations. fIFA President Gianni Infantino said the opening “begins with how we open it,” underscoring the event’s global significance.

Toronto’s Multicultural Showcase Features Bublé and Morissette

The source reports that Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette will headline the Toronto ceremony at 6.30pm UK time,with additional performers reflecting Canada’s multicultural population. The show will precede Canada’s opening match against Bosnia and Herzegovina at 8pm local time.

Los Angeles’ Hollywood Glow‑Up with Katy Perry and Jason Sudeikis

In Los Angeles, the source notes that the ceremony will be hosted by actor Jason Sudeikis, known for playing soccer coach Ted Lasso, and will feature a 90‑minute high‑energy celebration led by Katy Perry.. The event will take place at SoFi Stadium in the early hours of Saturday, followed by the USA’s opening match against Paraguay at 2am local time.

Marco Balich’s Vision for a Unified, Culture‑Rich Celebration

The source says the trio of opening ceremonies are being produced by Italian creative director Marco Balich, who previously worked on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Balich said the shows will be united by a “celebration of sports, the passion for soccer, symbolised by the cup itself,” with design choices that reflect each culture.

Unanswered Questions: Who Will Lead the Mexican Ceremony’s Production Team?

The source does not name the production team behind the Mexico City ceremony beyond Marco Balich. It also leaves unclear how the three opening matches will be coordinated across time zones and whether the ceremonies will be streamed simultaneously worldwide. Finally, the source does not disclose the exact lineup for the Los Angeles show beyond Katy Perry and Jason Sudeikis .