THE BLUE ANGELS at the opening ceremony in Mexico for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™
by May 15, 2026• Mexico will kick off the world’s greatest show with an unprecedented opening ceremony
• Alejandro Fernández and Los Ángeles Azules are among the headliners
• Mexican culture will take center stage 90 minutes before kickoff through music, dance, and art, featuring indigenous performers and folk artists
On Thursday, June 11, the world’s eyes will be on Mexico, which will kick off the 2026 FIFA World Cup™with a celebration full of sound, color, and deep meaning. At theEstadio Ciudad de México, the first note of a tournament to be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States will ring out, in unison with a shared passion for soccer that connects millions of people around the world.
The opening ceremony at Mexico City Stadium, which will set the stage 90 minutes before kickoff, will bring together some of the most recognizable Latin voices in the global music industry. Among the artists who will take the stage to bring the Official Album of the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ to life areAlejandro Fernández and Los Ángeles Azules, along with others such as Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Maná, and Tyla.
“The FIFA World Cup is a moment the world shares, and that starts with how we kick it off,” saidFIFA President Gianni Infantino. “Beginning in Mexico City and continuing in Toronto and Los Angeles, these ceremonies will bring together music, culture, and soccer in a way that reflects both the individuality of each nation and the unity that defines this tournament. It’s a powerful way to kick off a truly global celebration.”
Fans at the stadium will play a key role in the spectacle and should arrive early, as each opening ceremony will begin 90 minutes before kickoff, starting in Mexico City on Thursday, June 11, at 11:30 a.m. local time. Gates will open four hours before kickoff, offering a full range of experiences, including exclusive pre-game activities and giveaways.
Mexico will face South Africa in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, at a stadium that will go down in history as the first to host three FIFA World Cups.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup™ will feature 104 matches across 16 host cities, kicking off on Thursday, June 11, in Mexico City and concluding on Sunday, July 19, at New York, New Jersey Stadium. Tickets and hospitality packages are available via FIFA.com/tickets and will continue to go on sale throughout the tournament (subject to availability).