FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Live Streaming: How to Watch the Mega Event Online in the US, UK and India
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off with a series of historic opening ceremonies held across North America, marking the first time the tournament has been launched simultaneously by three host nations. The United States, Mexico and Canada will officially usher in the largest World Cup football ever staged.
While the United States previously hosted the World Cup in 1994 and Mexico staged the tournament in 1970 and 1986, Canada will welcome the competition for the first time. Together, the three nations will usher in the tournament’s opening. This edition of the World Cup will be the biggest in history, featuring a record 104 matches across 16 host cities.
Star-Studded Affair
The global spectacle will begin with the opening game in Mexico on Thursday, June 11, and end with the final in New York on Sunday, July 19. The three opening ceremonies, set to take place across Mexico, Canada, and the United States, will be connected by a common theme aimed at bringing the three host nations together while highlighting the unique culture, identity and artistic talent of each country.
Each ceremony is scheduled to begin 90 minutes before the respective host nation’s opening match.
The productions are being led by Marco Balich, the creative force behind several Olympic opening ceremonies, including the 2026 Winter Games, as well as numerous major international sporting events. Although every show will have its own distinctive style, they will all be tied together by the central idea that football has the power to unite people beyond borders.
Each host nation will showcase its heritage through a different visual concept. Canada will celebrate its diversity through a cultural mosaic, Mexico will draw inspiration from the traditional art of papel picado, and the United States will present what Balich described as “a super shiny, glowing cup.”
Here Are the Star Performers
Shakira and Burna Boy are set to take the stage in Mexico City to perform Dai Dai, the official anthem of the 2026 World Cup, during the tournament’s opening ceremony.
They will be joined by an impressive lineup of artists, including Alejandro Fernandez, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Angeles Azules, Mana and Tyla, all of whom are scheduled to perform as part of the celebration.
The festivities won’t be limited to Mexico. Special events are also planned in Toronto and Los Angeles on Friday as Canada and the United States prepare to begin their World Cup journeys on home soil. In Los Angeles, Katy Perry will headline the entertainment.
The three-city celebration officially gets underway with the grand opening ceremony in Mexico City on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET, marking the start of one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
When and Where
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 11, in Mexico, and Friday, June 12 Canada and United States, UK and India. The event will begin at 1:30 PM in Mexico and Canada; 7:30 PM in United States; 8 PM in UK and 12:30 AM in India (June 12)
How to Watch
United States: Fans in the United States can watch the FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony on FOX, FS1 (English), Telemundo (Spanish). The FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony will be live streamed on FOX Sports App, Telemundo Deportes.
United Kingdom: The FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony will be aired live on BBC, ITV. The event will be live streamed on BBC iPlayer, ITVX.
India: The FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony will be aired live on Zee Network channels. The event will be live streamed on ZEE5.
