When is the World Cup 2026 opening ceremony, are Shakira, Katy Perry and Michael Bublé performing?
The first match of the 37-day World Cup 2026 tournament is between Mexico and South Africa.
Following England’s friendly match against New Zealand, the team takes on Costa Rica tonight on Wednesday March 10. The Instagram for the England football team wrote: Over to “Orlando before final preparations⚡️
“🆚 Costa Rica
🏟️ Inter&Co Stadium
“⏱️ 9pm (UK)
“📺 Live on ITV1.”
In response to the post, one fan wrote: “Just score more than one goal please 🙏,” the fan was referring to England’s 1-0 victory over New Zealand (Harry Kane scored the goal). Another fan wrote: “And please stop saying Its coming home … seems to be a curse … Say It Might come home … safer.”
In a news conference before England’s final warm-up before the World Cup 2026 begins, their manager Thomas Tuchel spoke about Harry Kane and said: "Kane is a superstar of course and he is getting better and better. He is a fantastic leader. He is in a sweet spot of his career. Quite late in his career but he is sharp, full focussed and in top shape.
"The success and influence he has had in the last two seasons at Bayern Munich has helped him reach this level of his personal potential. He thinks day in, day out about how we can win as a team. That makes him very special.
"He knows we can go very long if you are a team - like Bayern has done in the Champions League. It was a pleasure to have him as a player at Bayern and a pleasure to have him as a captain here."
Thomas Tuchel was also asked if England is one of the favourites to win the World Cup as they have reached two Euros finals and he said: “It’s absolutely relevant. If you get to two Euros finals, and reach semi-finals and quarter-finals of the World Cup, then you are there - then you can win it.
"Then maybe it just takes a bit of luck or whatever. I strongly believe we are there, but I also believe we are not the favourites because of the history.
"We know what it takes, and it also requires a calm mindset and focus on our steps. If we want to reach the top of the mountain, we need to start the journey step by step. Otherwise, we’ll get distracted.
"I have belief. We all have belief and a dream. But it comes with hard work, responsibility, commitment and discipline - and sometimes disappointment. That’s all part of it. But we dare to dream, and that’s important.”
When is the World Cup 2026 opening ceremony?
As there are three host nations-Mexico, Canada and the United States things will look a little different when it comes to the opening ceremony as each nation will host their own. Ahead of Mexico Vs South Africa which is at 9pm on June 11, you will be able to watch Mexico’s opening ceremony on ITV1.
Shakira and Burna Boy will be headlining Mexico’s opening ceremony and will perform ‘Dai Dai,’ which is the official World Cup 2026 song.According to FIFA, the Mexico opening ceremony will start 90 minutes before kick-off.
If you want to watch both the United States and Canada’s opening ceremonies, BBC One will be covering both of them, the United States one will take place before the USA vs Paraguay match (2am kick-off) and the Canada opening ceremony will take place before the Canada Vs Bosnia & Herzegovina match which takes place on Friday June 12 at 8pm.
Michael Bublé will be one of the headliners alongside the likes of Alanis Morissette for the Canada opening ceremony. Katy Perry, Future and Tyla will perform at the United States opening ceremony which will be at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.