World Cup 2026 opening ceremonies sparked mixed reviews.
Each of the three host countries – Mexico, Canada and the United States – presented its own opening spectacle, a departure from the single‑event format of earlier tournaments.
Star‑studded line‑ups across three cities
In Mexico City, Shakira took the stage at Estadio Azteca on Thursday, joined by Nigerian singer Burna Boy. Their set featured the tournament’s official track “Dai Dai”, a blend of pop and Afrobeats that filled the stadium with a lively rhythm. The night also saw Colombian star J Balvin arrive in a papier‑mâché car, a visual that left many fans puzzled. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfGbsA1pJ8k
Canada’s ceremony unfolded at Toronto’s stadium the following day, showcasing a mosaic of multicultural imagery and a dedicated segment for the Indigenous community. Elyanna and Nora Fatehi delivered energetic performances of “Illuminate” and “Siir Siir”. While Alanis Morissette was limited to the national anthem, Alessia Cara, featured on the official soundtrack, received the main performance slot, shifting the spotlight away from Canada’s biggest pop export.
Across the border in Los Angeles, the United States closed the trilogy with a lineup that included Katy Perry, Future and Tyla. Their act aimed to bring a high‑energy finish, but some observers felt the star power arrived too late to change the overall impression of the three shows.
Mixed reactions to the shows
The varied receptions echo memories of the 1994 World Cup opening ceremony, when Diana Ross ran the length of Soldier Field in Chicago and missed a penalty, creating an unscripted moment that felt authentic to fans. That accidental charm contrasted sharply with the tightly choreographed productions of 2026, which many critics described as drifting from the original purpose of uniting global audiences.
Overall, the three ceremonies highlighted both the ambition and the challenges of staging opening events across three nations. While the star‑studded line‑ups attracted attention, the lack of a unifying narrative left some spectators feeling the shows fell short of the excitement traditionally associated with World Cup kick‑offs.
