World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Time and Broadcast Details

Football fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off today, Thursday. This historic edition marks the first time the tournament will feature 48 teams and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

This year’s tournament is notable for hosting three separate opening ceremonies, with each host nation celebrating its own event alongside its first match in the competition.

The opening ceremony in Mexico City at the iconic Estadio Azteca will feature Colombian superstar Shakira performing the official World Cup song “Dai Dai,” alongside Nigerian artist Burna Boy and other global music icons including J Balvin and Tyla.

The event will also showcase performances from various Latin American and international artists such as Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Lila Downs, Dani Ocean, Los Ángeles Azules, and Maná, presenting a grand artistic display that reflects cultural diversity.

This World Cup will see a significant Arab presence with eight teams participating: Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

The previous edition of the tournament held in Qatar in 2022 saw Argentina crowned champions after defeating France in the final match.

Opening Ceremony Schedule

The ceremony is set to begin 90 minutes before the opening match at 8:30 PM Cairo and Saudi Arabia time, with Mexico facing South Africa at 10:00 PM.

Broadcast Information for the Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony of the World Cup 2026 will be broadcast live on beIN Sports HD open channel as well as on Qatar’s Al Kass One channel and the “Shof” platform.