Overview
- The Los Angeles ceremony on Friday featured Katy Perry performing “Wonder” with 10‑year‑old Norwegian singer Tius Luka and Future with Tyla delivering the official anthem “Game Time.”
- FIFA staged three separate national opening ceremonies in Mexico City, Toronto, and Los Angeles, each with distinct headliners meant to reflect the tournament’s multi‑country hosting and the expansion to 48 teams.
- Coverage flagged mixed public reactions, with social‑media viewers accusing at least one performer of lip‑synching and some attendees reporting ticket prices above $1,900 and long travel distances to attend.
- The musical rollout is built around an 18‑track official World Cup album that channels collaborations across genres and pledges proceeds to a FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, with FIFA planning a first‑ever final halftime show at MetLife Stadium on July 19.
- Hours after the Los Angeles ceremony, Team USA opened its tournament with a reported 4–1 win over Paraguay, underscoring how FIFA has tied pop spectacle to the on‑field kickoff to broaden reach and revenue for the month‑long event.