Overview
- FIFA announced Friday it will stage separate opening ceremonies in Mexico, Canada and the United States, each scheduled before the host nation’s first match.
- The tournament starts June 11 at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca with Mexico vs South Africa following a show that includes J Balvin, Belinda and Alejandro Fernández.
- Toronto hosts Canada’s ceremony on June 12 before Canada vs Bosnia‑Herzegovina with performers such as Vegedream, Nora Fatehi and Michael Bublé.
- Los Angeles stages the U.S. ceremony on June 12 before USA vs Paraguay featuring Katy Perry, Future and Anitta, in a show that also nods to the U.S. 250th anniversary.
- FIFA set each ceremony to begin 90 minutes before kickoff, with Mexico’s segment about 16 minutes and the two June 12 shows about 13 minutes, and Coldplay is booked for the July 19 final halftime in New York.