ISLAMABAD- The FIFA World Cup 2026 celebrations are in full swing across North America, and the best is yet to come. Following a spectacular opening night in Mexico City, both Canada and the United States are now ready to host their own grand opening ceremonies—combining world-class music, rich cultural heritage, and the electric atmosphere of football’s greatest stage.
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Canada Opens at Toronto — A Celebration of Diversity
Canada’s official opening ceremony will take place at Toronto Stadium ahead of the highly anticipated Group Stage clash between Canada and Bosnia & Herzegovina.
FIFA has confirmed that the ceremony will shine a spotlight on Canada’s extraordinary cultural diversity, with performances representing the country’s many vibrant communities. A special mosaic presentation of the World Cup Trophy will also feature as one of the ceremony’s centerpiece moments.
The star-studded lineup performing at Toronto includes some of Canada’s most beloved musical icons:
- Michael Bublé
- Alanis Morissette
- Alessia Cara
- Jessie Reyez
- William Prince
- Viji Dream
- Eliana
- Nora Fatehi — Indian-origin Canadian actress and singer
Pakistani fans can catch Canada’s opening ceremony at approximately 10:30 PM Pakistan Standard Time, with the Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina match kicking off at midnight.
Nora Fatehi — The World Cup’s Global Voice
One of the most talked-about names on the Canada ceremony lineup is Nora Fatehi, who is an official part of the FIFA World Cup 2026 music project.
Her World Cup track ‘Sair Sair’ — produced in collaboration with French singer Viji Dream and music producer Sanjoy — has already taken the internet by storm. The song collected over 20 million YouTube views within its first 24 hours of release, with several reports placing it among the most-watched World Cup songs on debut day in the tournament’s history.
USA Opens at Los Angeles — A Global Superstar Spectacular
Across the border, the United States is pulling out all the stops. The American opening ceremony will be held at Los Angeles Stadium before the group stage match between the USA and Paraguay.
The lineup reads like a who’s who of global pop royalty:
- Katy Perry — American pop superstar
- Anitta — Brazilian music sensation
- Lisa — Member of South Korea’s globally celebrated group BLACKPINK
- Rema — Nigerian Afrobeats star
- Tyla — South African Grammy-winning artist
- Future — American rapper
Pakistani fans can watch the US opening ceremony at approximately 3:30 AM on June 13 (Pakistan Standard Time), with the USA vs Paraguay match beginning at 5:00 AM.
Mexico Sets the Standard — Shakira Opens the World Cup
Before Canada and the USA took center stage, it was Mexico City that kicked off the entire tournament in breathtaking fashion.
The official World Cup 2026 opening ceremony took place at the historic Estadio Azteca—one of football’s most iconic venues—drawing thousands of passionate fans from around the world.
Colombian global superstar Shakira and Nigerian music sensation Burna Boy performed the official FIFA World Cup 2026 anthem ‘Dye Dye’ in a moment that sent shockwaves across social media worldwide.
The ceremony also featured performances by J Balvin, Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, Los Angeles Azules, Maná and Tyla, with Mexico’s rich cultural traditions, indigenous heritage, traditional dance, and music woven throughout the spectacular show.
On the pitch, host nation Mexico made the perfect start—defeating South Africa 2-0 in the opening match to claim three points in Group A and send their fans into raptures.
The Biggest World Cup in History
FIFA has confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup is the largest in the tournament’s history—featuring a record 48 teams competing across 104 matches in 16 cities spread across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The tournament runs through to the 19th of July, with fans across the globe promised weeks of world-class football, cultural celebration, and unforgettable moments.
Pakistani Fans — Your Complete Viewing Guide
- Canada Opening Ceremony: Tonight at approximately 10:30 PM PST
- Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina: Midnight PST
- USA Opening Ceremony: 3:30 AM PST (June 13)
- USA vs Paraguay: 5:00 AM PST (June 13)
Pakistani football fans can look forward to a night and morning packed with color, music, and world-class football—all live and unmissable.
