Katy Perry headlined the 2026 FIFA World Cup USA Opening Ceremony on Friday night at Inglewood's Los Angeles Stadium, joined by a global lineup that included LISA, Anitta, Tyla, Rema, Future, Dan + Shay and Purahei Soul, according to Billboard.
Future and Tyla opened the ceremony approximately 90 minutes before kickoff, performing their 2026 World Cup song "Game Time." LISA, Anitta and Rema followed with the official World Cup album track "Goals." After a break of just over an hour, Perry took the field alongside 10-year-old Norwegian singer Tius Luka for her 2024 song "Wonder," with the flags of every World Cup nation surrounding them. Purahei Soul then performed the Paraguayan national anthem, and country duo Dan + Shay performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the match began.
The U.S. Men's National Team defeated Paraguay 4-1 in their opening match. Their next game is against Australia on June 19.
The Los Angeles ceremony was the third and final opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup. It followed a ceremony at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca on Thursday, which featured Shakira, Burna Boy, Maná, J Balvin, Belinda, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules and Tyla. A ceremony at Toronto's BMO Field preceded Canada's opening match and featured Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez, Nora Fatehi, Elyanna and William Prince. Tyla was the only artist to appear at more than one opening ceremony, performing at both the U.S. and Mexico events.
Shakira is scheduled to headline the 2026 World Cup Final halftime show alongside BTS and Madonna.
The Friday night broadcast was not without incident. During Fox Sports' pre-ceremony coverage, former New England Revolution player and pundit Alexi Lalas shocked his fellow presenters when colleague Rebecca Lowe brought up James Corden's appearance on the network's "FIFA World Cup on FOX After Hours." Before Lowe could finish her introduction, Lalas cut in with, "What do you guys call him? A full kit wanker, right?"
Fellow presenters Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimović were visibly stunned. Lowe responded, "Lucky we're on American television. 'Cause the W-word on British TV …"
Lalas attempted to explain the remark by noting Corden was "all dressed up and ready to go" in a soccer uniform for the Fox Sports segment. A "full kit wanker" is a British insult aimed at someone who wears a full soccer uniform in public without actually playing. A representative for Corden did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to The Wrap. The moment quickly circulated on social media, with one user posting a photo of Henry's shocked expression alongside the caption, "The next meme of the World Cup."
