Best Performance Photos from the 2026 World Cup Opening Ceremonies

World Cup season is finally in full swing — and it’s bringing tons of music’s biggest stars along for the ride!

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off with a trio of ostentatious opening ceremonies across North America on June 11 and 12. The first ceremony took place in Mexico on June 11, with a gorgeous showcase of indigenous Mexican dance leading the way at Estadio Banorte. Several homegrown Mexican artists also performed, including rock band Maná, singer-songwriter and actress Belinda, Grammy winner Lila Downs and cumbia band Los Ángeles Azules. Salma Hayek, the first Mexican woman to earn an Academy Award nomination for best actress in a leading role, made an appearance, as did Mexican music icon Alejandro Fernández, who delivered a soaring rendition of “Himno Nacional Mexicano.”

Before Grammy-winning global superstars Shakira and Burna Boy closed the ceremony with their explosive “Dai Dai” collaboration, Venezuelan singer Danny Ocean performed “Partidazo,” and Colombian stars J Balvin and Ryan Castro played a medley of hits, including the Billboard Hot 100 -topping “I Like It.” After the flag ceremony, legendary Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and EJAE, the Oscar-winning singer-songwriter behind the Kpop Demon Hunters  smash hit “Golden,” duetted on “DNA (More Than a Game),” the tournament’s official anthem. South African pop star Tyla also performed her home country’s national anthem.

On June 12, several Canadian stars descended upon Toronto’s BMO Field for the second opening ceremony for this year’s World Cup, including Michael Bublé, Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez, Nora Fatehi and William Prince, who delivered a land acknowledgement. As Cara tore through a medley of her signature hits “Wild Things” and “Here,” dancers adorned with maple leaves and stylized structures of polar bears, humpback whales and moose filled the stadium, paying tribute to Canada’s native wildlife. Several other global stars joined the ceremony — including Palestinian singer Elyanna, Bangladeshi-American DJ Sanjoy and French singer Vegedream — as did Emmy-nominated Arrested Development star Will Arnett. Grammy-winning Canadian-American pop-rock icon Alanis Morissette nailed “O Canada,” while Serbian-Canadian violinist Aleksandar Gajić performed the national anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bublé linked with the Sole Power Choir to close the ceremony with a moving cover of Sam Cooke’s “Bring It On Home to Me,” after which the Canadian Forces Snowbirds conducted a breathtaking flyover.

Later that same day, the U.S. hosted the final 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. After a costumed presentation of George Washington, the nation’s first president, and a speech acknowledging this year’s Semiquincentennial, Atlanta rap superstar Future and Tyla performed their “Game Time” collaboration amid a sea of dancers doused in red, white, blue and gold. BLACKPINK member and Actor Awards nominee LISA, Brazilian star Anitta and Afrobeats sensation Rema then performed their joint “Goals” single while surrounded by key landmarks of major American cities.

Emmy-winning Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis also made an appearance, bridging the show’s fictional world of football with this year’s real-life tournament. “California Gurl” herself Katy Perry also teamed with 10-year-old Norwegian singer Tius Luka for a sweet performance of “Wonder,” a deep cut from her 2024 143 LP, which gave way to a particularly acclaimed rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by country music duo Dan + Shay. Before a military flyover, Paraguayan soul duo Purahei Soul performed their country’s national anthem, with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ Hot 100-topping “Can’t Hold Us” played to transition into the matches.

Before the opening ceremonies, several music superstars contributed various countdown concerts across North America. On June 10, Major Lazer, Ava Max and Davido dazzled Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena; 14-time Latin Grammy nominee Elena Rose joined Belinda and Bocelli at Mexico City’s Auditorio Nacional, and Wyclef Jean, Bryan Adams and AHI joined Fatehi, Sanjoy and Vegedream at Toronto’s Fort York Historical Site and The Bentway venues. On June 11, Peso Pluma delighted fans at Los Angeles’ BMO Stadium with a special Adidas-sponsored performance that previewed PinkPantheress and Larry June’s upcoming June 26 show at NYC’s Brooklyn Bridge Park. That same evening, Dirty South rap icon Ludacris rocked Michelob Ultra’s Pitchside Club FIFA World Cup 2026 KickOff.

Check out our gallery of all the incredible musical performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be updated as the shows take place.

_Originally reported by [Billboard](https://www.billboard.com/photos/world-cup-2026-best-photos-music-performances-1236272976/)._