2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off with Shakira at 1st of 3 opening ceremonies

U.S. 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off with Shakira at 1st of 3 opening ceremonies By Kiki Intarasuwan Kiki Intarasuwan News Editor Kiki Intarasuwan is a news editor for CBS News & Stations. Read Full Bio Kiki Intarasuwan June 11, 2026 / 5:01 AM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google The biggest World Cup tournament in history has arrived in North America, and soccer fans across the globe are buzzing with excitement for the opening matches and star-studded ceremonies on Thursday and Friday. From Mexico City to New York to Toronto, millions of spectators draped in their country's colors will gather to watch 48 national soccer teams compete at the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup. It's the first time the tournament will use the newly expanded field, up from the previous 32-team format that had been in place since 1998.It's also the first time three nations are hosting one of the world's most-watched sporting events. 2026 World Cup opening ceremonies With matches being played in 11 cities across the U.S., Mexico and Canada, fans are getting three World Cup opening ceremonies. Before the Group A match between Mexico and South Africa kicks off Thursday at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Shakira and Burna Boy will perform "Dai Dai," the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, at the opening ceremony. The show will begin at 11:30 a.m. local time (1:30 p.m. ET) and will include other musical artists featured in the FIFA World Cup's first-ever album, including Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná and Tyla, according to FIFA. Fans of Mexico and South Africa pose for a photo outside the stadium on June 6, 2026, days before the inaugural match of the FIFA 2026 World Cup at Mexico City Stadium. Jaime Lopez / Jam Media / Getty Images In Toronto on Friday, host Canada welcomes Bosnia and Herzegovina at the freshly transformed BMO Field. The stadium said it expanded from 28,000 seats to 45,000 in preparatio...