STAR SPORTS DESK
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be staged across three countries for the first time in history, will also feature three separate opening ceremonies, marking another unique milestone for the tournament.
According to FIFA, Mexico will kick off the World Cup on June 11 and launch a trilogy of opening ceremonies that will continue in Canada and the United States.
Each ceremony will begin 90 minutes before the kick-off of the host nation’s opening match.
The first ceremony will take place at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City at 11:30 pm (Bangladesh time) on June 11. The second ceremony will be held on June 12 at 11:30 pm at BMO Field in Toronto, while the third will take place at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on June 13 at 5:30 am Bangladesh time.
The ceremonies will blend music, culture and football, reflecting the individuality of each host nation while celebrating the unity that defines the expanded global tournament.
Several prominent names from the music industry will perform, including Shakira in Mexico, Nora Fatehi in Canada and Katy Perry in the United States.
Bangladeshi-American DJ and music producer Sanjoy Deb will also perform at the opening ceremony in Toronto.
Iran forward Mehdi Taremi signs autographs for fans outside the Marriott Hotel before leaving for a training session in Tijuana, Mexico, on June 9, 2026, ahead of their World Cup opener against South Africa tonight.
Iran warns over unauthorised flags, anti-team slogans
Iran threatened to halt its matches at the World Cup if unauthorised flags are displayed or slogans targeting the national team are chanted at stadiums, Iranian media reported, citing Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali, following criticism of the team’s presence at the tournament. The World Cup begins on Thursday, with Iran opening their Group G campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. They next face Belgium at the same venue on June 21 before taking on Egypt in Seattle on June 26. “We have informed FIFA that if unofficial flags are brought or slogans against the national team are chanted in the stadiums where Iran plays in the World Cup, the team manager will definitely be responsible for stopping the match,” Donyamali said on Tuesday, according to Iranian media.