The world’s largest World Cup requires the world’s largest icons, and FIFA certainly did not disappoint with their decisions for performers this year. With this tournament taking place across the three North American countries, they’ve elected to have three different opening ceremonies, one for each nation’s opening game having home grown artists – with the exception of Mexico – perform to their own countries’ fans. On top of that, FIFA has decided to take part in an American tradition for the first time ever, having a Superbowl-esque halftime show take place on the world’s grandest stage in the final.

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Mexico City: J Balvin and Tyla

The World Cup officially kicks off in Mexico City on June 11, and will do so in style with reggaeton legend J Balvin and an up and coming star in the modern music world Tyla. J Balvin, who has six Latin Grammy Awards and four regular Grammy nominations across the years, is not unfamiliar to these types of performances as he previously has performed at the 2020 Superbowl alongside Jennifer Lopez and Shakira. Tyla, the two time Grammy winner will have her first go at a performance of this size, and will introduce her melodic voice to plenty of new fans this June.

Toronto: Michael Bublé and Alanis Morisette

The performances will continue on in Toronto the very next day, June 12, with two Canadian legends coming back home to deliver what could be a performance of a lifetime. The event marks possibly the biggest moment for Canadian Soccer so it only makes sense to have the highly regarded “Queen of Alt-Rock Angst” and arguably the largest Canadian artist to ever release music, in Michael Bublé. While the genres of alt rock and strictly jazz may not mesh, combined they share a total of twelve grammy awards, the most out of any of the performers in the opening ceremonies meaning we can expect this particular performance to stand a head above the rest.

New York: Katy Perry and Future

On the same day, we’ll have the most interesting and unlikeliest of pairs to perform throughout the World Cup, seeing hip-hop and rap icon Future team up with a pop legend in Katy Perry. Both performers dropped their most recent projects in 2024, although both have stayed active through features on other artists’ work. While Katy Perry may not have any Grammys compared to Future’s three, she holds the prior experience in hosting large ceremonies similar to this as she previously headlined the Superbowl halftime show back in 2015. The two will look to blend the genres of pop and rap in one of the more out of the ordinary performances at the World Cup.

Halftime Show: Madonna, Shakira and BTS

Every fantastic event has its closing ceremony, however this year FIFA has chosen to do it a little differently, replicating the old American tradition of the Superbowl Halftime show in front of the millions of fans across the world who will be tuning in for the final. For this FIFA has selected artists beloved worldwide including Madonna, who has been nominated for twenty-eight Grammy awards over her illustrious career and over 400 million records sold worldwide. Alongside her is a name familiar to the soccer world, with Shakira, an eight time Grammy award nominee who in 2010 released FIFA’s most popular World Cup theme song to date with “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)”. And finally, BTS will be the final headline of the show, one of the most famous boy bands in the world who will pause their 2026 world tour to perform in New York for the World Cup Final. It’s also worth mentioning that while not involved in the performance, the show is to be curated by Coldplay’s front man Chris Martin on July 19.

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