For the first time in history, there will be three opening ceremonies at the 2026 World Cup. Here’s everything you need to know about the one in Los Angeles.
2026 World Cup Opening Ceremony in Los Angeles: How to watch the performances on TV and online | Katy Perry, LISA…
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a tournament filled with firsts.
For the first time in history, the World Cup will feature three separate opening ceremonies across the tournament’s three host nations. The competition will also embrace a distinctly American tradition, with the championship match set to include the first halftime show ever staged at a FIFA World Cup final.
Each host country, the United States, Mexico and Canada, will hold its own opening ceremony. The first took place yesterday at Mexico City’s Estadio Ciudad de México before the tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa. Canada and the United States are staging their own celebrations today.
Everything you need to know about the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony in the United States
The United States’ first World Cup match is scheduled for Friday, June 12, at SoFi Stadium, which will be temporarily renamed Los Angeles Stadium during the tournament under FIFA regulations that prohibit the use of non-official commercial sponsors.
The United States will face Paraguay at 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET, but the opening ceremony is set to begin 90 minutes earlier at 4:30 p.m PT / 7:30 p.m. ET.
Stadium gates will open four hours before kickoff, giving fans access to exclusive activities, entertainment experiences, giveaways and live pregame programming throughout the venue.
Confirmed performers for the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony in the United States
- Katy Perry
- Future
- Anitta
- LISA
- Rema
- Tyla
World Cup 2026 opening ceremonies: times and how to watch
United States opening ceremony
Friday, June 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood. USMNT vs Paraguay follows at 9 p.m. ET.
The ceremony will be broadcast in the United States on FOX and Fox Sports 1. Spanish-language broadcasts will also be available on Telemundo and Universo.
Confirmed artists for the 2026 World Cup final halftime show
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will make history as the first championship match to feature a halftime show.
FIFA and Global Citizen announced in May that Madonna, Shakira and BTS will headline the historic performance during the World Cup final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium.
The addition of a halftime show reflects FIFA’s effort to bring elements of major American sporting events to the world’s biggest soccer tournament, creating another landmark moment in what is already shaping up to be one of the most unique World Cups ever staged.
Related stories
Lisa set for World Cup history in U.S. opening ceremony
2026 World Cup Opening Ceremony in Toronto
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that of this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.