Global Stars Unite Across Nations: Shakira, Katy Perry, Lisa, Nora Fatehi & More Light Up World Cup 2026 Opening

Football’s biggest spectacle has officially begun, as the 2026 FIFA World Cup opened with grand celebrations across Mexico, Canada and the United States , marking the start of the tournament’s historic format featuring 48 teams and three host nations.

In Mexico City , the iconic Estadio Azteca set the tone on June 11 with a vibrant opening ceremony that blended football and global music. The stage lit up as Shakira delivered the official anthem Dai Dai alongside Burna Boy , energising fans with a powerful finale that echoed across the stadium. The celebration also featured high energy performances from J Balvin and Ryan Castro , while artists like Belinda , Los Ángeles Azules , Maná , Lila Downs and Danny Ocean added local flavour and rhythm to the global stage.

Adding cinematic glamour to the night, Hollywood star and World Cup ambassador Salma Hayek led the Parade of Nations in a custom outfit, welcoming the arrival of 48 national flags. South African singer Tyla performed her national anthem, while legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli joined forces with EJAE for the tournament’s official song DNA , setting an emotional tone for the global event.

A day later in Toronto , Canada’s celebration unfolded at BMO Field ahead of its opening match. Singer Alanis Morissette delivered a stirring national anthem performance, followed by appearances from Michael Bublé , Alessia Cara , Jessie Reyez and William Prince . The ceremony also highlighted Indigenous performances and a symbolic giant moose puppet, reflecting Canada’s multicultural identity.

One of the standout moments came from Moroccan Canadian artist Nora Fatehi , who debuted her new single Siir Siir alongside Vegedream and Sanjoy , blending global football chants with Bollywood influenced beats.

In Los Angeles , the United States celebration at SoFi Stadium brought together another wave of international stars ahead of the match against Paraguay. Katy Perry , Future and Dan + Shay headlined the show, while a standout collaboration featured Lisa , Anitta and Rema performing the anthem Goals . The performance marked a historic milestone for Lisa, drawing massive global attention and trending across social media platforms.

With music, culture and football converging across three continents, the World Cup has opened not just as a sporting tournament, but as a global festival of unity and celebration.