Los Angeles to Host Second Opening Ceremony for 2026 World Cup Ahead of USA vs. Paraguay Match

The United States is gearing up to host the second opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup early Saturday morning, as part of a series of celebrations initiated by FIFA in the host countries, which will continue until July 19.

FIFA previously announced that there will be three opening ceremonies in the three host nations, with the festivities kicking off in Mexico with a grand event preceding South Africa’s opening match.

The second ceremony is set to take place at the Los Angeles Stadium, just before the U.S. national team faces Paraguay in their first group stage match, combining sports with global artistic performances.

The event will feature several prominent music stars, including Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, Lisa, and Rima, showcasing a performance that reflects the global essence and cultural diversity of the tournament.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized that the Los Angeles ceremony will highlight the significant scale of the 2026 World Cup. He noted that the lineup of participating artists represents cultural diversity within the United States and underscores music’s role in uniting people worldwide.

Infantino added that these celebrations also reflect the substantial impact of the United States in music and entertainment, as well as being part of the new identity for this expanded tournament.

The match between the United States and Paraguay will kick off at 4:00 AM local time on Saturday, amid a festive atmosphere leading up to the whistle.