For the first time in history, the World Cup had THREE opening ceremonies — Mexico, Canada, and the U.S., on the same weekend. From Shakira to Katy Perry, from Bocelli to a 10-year-old girl. The full lineup of all three nights, in 7 highlights. #1 closed the trilogy in an unforgettable way.
The 2026 World Cup did something no other World Cup has done: instead of one opening ceremony, there were three — one in Mexico, one in Canada, and one in the U.S., all on the same opening weekend. Each host country got its own spectacle, 90 minutes before the home team's game.
The result was a parade of global stars spread across three cities: Shakira, Katy Perry, Bocelli, J Balvin, LISA, Anitta, Future, Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette, and many more. Each city told a different cultural story.
Let's go through the 7 biggest highlights of the three nights, from smallest to biggest. And #1 closed the trilogy in a way nobody expected.
#7 — The concept: three cities, three cultures
Before the stars, the idea. The three openings were created by Italian producer Marco Balich, fresh off the 2026 Winter Olympics opening. The unifying theme: the celebration of sport and the passion for soccer, symbolized by the trophy.
Each show lasted about 30 minutes and had an aesthetic drawn from the local culture. Importantly, Balich warned it wouldn't be a "Super Bowl-style extravaganza" — but rather welcome speeches, a parade of flags, the presentation of the ball, and music. Three points of view, three languages, one tournament.
The first night was in Mexico — and it had the Queen of the World Cups. 👇
#6 — Mexico: Shakira, J Balvin, and Mexican culture
The trilogy began at Estadio Azteca, in Mexico City, on June 11. The headliner: Shakira, singing the official song "Dai Dai" with Nigeria's Burna Boy.
The lineup dove into Mexican and Latin identity: J Balvin, Belinda, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná, and Alejandro Fernández (who sang the Mexican anthem), plus South Africa's Tyla (the South African anthem). Actress Salma Hayek was an ambassador, holding the trophy. The visual concept came from "papel picado," the Mexican folk art of perforated paper.
The second night was in Canada — and it had tears.
#5 — Canada: Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette, and emotion
On June 12, in Toronto, the Canadian opening. The standout names: Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette, who sang a moving national anthem ("O Canada") that brought tears.
The Canadian lineup gathered Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez, Elyanna, Nora Fatehi, Sanjoy, Vegedream, and William Prince, with actor and comedian Will Arnett taking part. It was the most emotional night of the trilogy — and marked Canada's first historic point at the World Cup (a draw with Bosnia).