Today the 2026 World Cup begins with a rather renewed edition: there will be 104 matches on the scoreboard, given that the number of participating teams has risen – for the first time in history – to 48. Despite this, there will be no room for Italy which will be missing from the tournament for the third consecutive edition.
This edition of the World Cup will be held from 11 June to 19 July in sixteen cities divided between three nations: Canada, Mexico and the United States. This is also a first time. Although it has already happened in other competitions, such as the European Championships, it is new that the World Cup is played between different nations.
As for the entertainment side, it will be a fully American-style World Cup. In fact, FIFA has decided to organize three different opening ceremonies, one for each nation, as well as an important Superbowl-style halftime show for the final. The creative direction of the latter was entrusted to Chris Martin of Coldplay.
But let's get things in order. It will officially begin today, with the first of the three ceremonies scheduled at the historic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City (the first in history to host three World Cups), where at 7.30 pm Italian time Shakira will perform with Burna Boi in Come on, come onone of the official songs of the competition. Among the other artists who will perform: Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Zules, Maná and Tyla. The opening match will be Mexico against South Africa.
Double celebration instead for June 12th. At 9.30pm Italian time it will be time for the Canadian ceremony at BMO Field in Toronto with Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, Alessia Cara, Elyanna, Jessie Reyez, Nora Fatehi, Sanjoy, Vegedream and William Prince. At the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, however, at midnight and a half Italian time, Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, Lisa and Rema (who have signed another of the official songs, Goals) and Tyla. There are rumors of possible guests not yet announced.
The halftime show of the final created by Chris Martin aims even higher. The guests will be: Madonna, BTS and Shakira. The appointment here is for Sunday 19 July at the New Jersey Stadium in New York.
The complete program:
11 June / Mexico / 7.30 pm
Shakira
Burna Boi
Alejandro Fernandez
Belinda, Danny Ocean
J Balvin, Lila Downs
Los Angeles Zules
Mana
Tyla
June 12th / Canada / 9pm
Alanis Morissette
Michael Buble
Alessia Cara
Elyanna
Jessie Reyez
Nora Fatehi
Sanjoy
Vegedream
William Prince
June 12 / United States / 00.30 am
Katy Perry
Future
Anitta
Lisa
Row
Tyla
July 19th / United States / 9pm
Madonna
BTS
Shakira
