The 2026 FIFA World Cup U.S. Opening Ceremony took place on June 12, 2026 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California, ahead of the Group D match between USA and Paraguay. Performers included Katy Perry, Future, Tyla, LISA (Blackpink), Anitta, and Remi, with Dan + Shay singing the U.S. national anthem. Tom Cruise, David and Victoria Beckham, Paris Hilton, and Jason Sudeikis attended. The USA led Paraguay 3-0 at halftime, scoring their first goal within 10 minutes.
What happened at the World Cup 2026 opening ceremony in the USA?
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Dan + Shay opened the on-pitch proceedings, performing the U.S. national anthem as the men's national team stood with hands over hearts and sang along. Tom Cruise did the same from the stands, positioned next to David and Victoria Beckham.
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The crowd's response when the duo finished was loud enough to set the tone for everything that followed. Paraguay's anthem was performed by Purahei Soul. The pre-match entertainment featured Future, then Grammy-winning South African singer Tyla, Brazilian singer-songwriter Anitta, LISA from K-pop group Blackpink, Remi, and finally Katy Perry, who headlined as the local act.
Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis led a mini-flag parade on the pitch. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio represented the White House in the absence of President Donald Trump. The game itself started decisively: the USA scored inside the opening 10 minutes and led 3-0 at the break.
Which celebrities attended the World Cup 2026 opening ceremony at SoFi Stadium?
The red carpet before the ceremony drew Paris Hilton, Rob Lowe, Jaafar Jackson, Becky G, Josh Peck, Will Forte, and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, among others. Inside the stadium, Owen Wilson and Sofia Vergara joined Cruise and the Beckhams in the stands. The LA ceremony was one of three opening events staged across the tri-nation tournament. Canada's ceremony in Toronto on the same day featured Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, Alessia Cara, Elyanna, Jessie Reyes, Nora Fatehi, and indigenous Manitoba artist William Prince. Mexico's opener on June 11 featured Shakira and Burna Boy.
The tournament runs through July 19, when the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will host the first halftime show in FIFA's near 100-year history. Coldplay's Chris Martin, Madonna, and Shakira are scheduled to headline. Forty-eight nations are competing across 16 host cities. For the USA, the next task is converting a 3-0 halftime lead into three points. The opening ceremony will be forgotten by the kickoff of the next match. The result will not.
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