FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony: Date, Time, Performers and How to Watch

Last updated: Jun 22, 2026

The FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony begins at 11:30 local time on Thursday, 11 June at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Shakira and Burna Boy headline the show, performing “Dai Dai”, the official song of the 2026 World Cup.

It opens the first 48-team World Cup, on the only stadium ever to host three.

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Opening Ceremony: Date, Time, and Venue

The ceremony runs at 11:30 a.m. Mexico City time on 11 June 2026, ending shortly before the 13:00 opening match between Mexico and South Africa.

This is the curtain-raiser for the 39-day tournament — see our full guide to the 2026 World Cup start date and schedule.

Estadio Azteca becomes the only stadium in history to host the World Cup three times — after 1970 and 1986. FIFA refers to it as “Mexico City Stadium” during the tournament; the venue was rebranded “Estadio Banorte” in 2025 to fund renovations.

The ceremony and kickoff both fall on 11 June Mexico City time. Convert below for your city:

City	Ceremony Start	Kickoff
Mexico City	11:30, 11 Jun	13:00, 11 Jun
London (BST)	18:30, 11 Jun	20:00, 11 Jun
Riyadh / Doha	20:30, 11 Jun	22:00, 11 Jun
Dubai / Abu Dhabi	21:30, 11 Jun	23:00, 11 Jun
Karachi	22:30, 11 Jun	00:00, 12 Jun
Delhi / Mumbai	23:00, 11 Jun	00:30, 12 Jun
Dhaka	23:30, 11 Jun	01:00, 12 Jun
Jakarta	00:30, 12 Jun	02:00, 12 Jun
Singapore / Kuala Lumpur	01:30, 12 Jun	03:00, 12 Jun

Confirmed Performers

FIFA built the lineup around Mexican and Latin American artists, with South Africa’s Tyla honouring the opening-match visitors.

Headliners Shakira and Burna Boy were confirmed in early June to perform the official tournament song “Dai Dai”.

The confirmed performers are:

Shakira and Burna Boy — headliners performing the official song “Dai Dai”
Maná — Mexican rock band
Alejandro Fernández — Mexican ranchera singer
Belinda — Mexican pop singer
Lila Downs — Mexican-American folk singer
Los Ángeles Azules — Mexican cumbia group
J Balvin — Colombian reggaeton star
Tyla — South African pop singer
Danny Ocean — Venezuelan singer-songwriter

Canada (Toronto) and the United States (Los Angeles) hold separate ceremonies on 12 June with their own lineups.

How to Watch the Opening Ceremony

Every broadcaster carrying the opening match also carries the ceremony, starting at 11:30 Mexico City time.

Where to tune in by region:

MENA: beIN Sports — exclusive rights across 24 countries.
UK: BBC and ITV — free-to-air, with iPlayer and ITVX streaming.
United States: FOX (English) and Telemundo (Spanish).
Canada: CTV, TSN, and RDS.
India: Zee‘s Unite8 Sports channels (Hindi and English), streaming on ZEE5.

FIFA+ is FIFA’s free streaming service, but it does not carry live matches in markets where a broadcaster holds exclusive rights. Check the FIFA+ app for your country.

Attending in Person at Estadio Azteca

Tickets for the opener are sold only through FIFA’s official platform. The Last-Minute Sales Phase has been live since 1 April 2026 and runs through the final.

Hospitality packages with guaranteed tickets are sold through On Location, FIFA’s official hospitality provider.

Important: Tickets bought outside FIFA’s official platform or On Location can be voided at the gate. FIFA does not authorise third-party resale.

Getting to the Stadium

Estadio Azteca sits in southern Mexico City, with no on-site Metro station. The cleanest route on match day is rail.

Metro Line 2 (blue) to Tasqueña, then transfer to the Tren Ligero (light rail) southbound — get off at Estadio Azteca station, a five-minute walk from the gates.
Buy an integrated mobility card at any Metro station; it works on Metro, Tren Ligero, Metrobús and Cablebús.
Arrive at least three hours early. Tasqueña and the Tren Ligero get heavily congested on match days, and FIFA security checks add time at the gate.

Driving and rideshares are slow on match day, with road closures around Calzada de Tlalpan and Periférico Sur. Use rail if you can.

Watching for Free at the Zócalo

If you can’t get a stadium ticket, the official FIFA Fan Festival at Mexico City’s Zócalo will broadcast the opening ceremony and the Mexico vs South Africa match live, with free entry.

The Zócalo screen is 510 square metres of LED — the largest of any 2026 host city. Gates open early on 11 June; expect heavy crowds.

Search flights to Mexico City and hotels in Mexico City on Wego to plan around match day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony start?

The ceremony begins at 11:30 a.m. Mexico City time on Thursday, 11 June 2026 — 90 minutes before the Mexico vs South Africa kickoff at 13:00 local time.

Who is performing at the opening ceremony?

Shakira and Burna Boy headline, performing the official song “Dai Dai”. They are joined by Maná, Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, J Balvin, Tyla, and Danny Ocean.

Will the United States and Canada hold their own ceremonies?

Yes. Los Angeles hosts the US opener ceremony on 12 June, and Toronto hosts the Canada opener ceremony on the same day, each with its own lineup.

Can I watch the ceremony on FIFA+?

FIFA+ availability depends on your country. In markets where a regional broadcaster holds exclusive rights, FIFA+ does not stream live matches. Check the FIFA+ app for your location.

Are tickets still available for the opening match?

FIFA’s Last-Minute Sales Phase has been live since 1 April 2026 and runs through the final. Availability is first-come, first-served on fifa.com/tickets and changes daily.

Sources

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