Final preparations for FIFA are underway, and Toronto is gearing up for a star-studded opening ceremony that fans won’t soon forget.
The FIFA World Cup opening ceremony will take place on Friday, June 12, at 1:30 p.m. ET, 90 minutes before the official kickoff.
Star-Studded lineup set to take the stage
The ceremony will feature a musical lineup designed to reflect the energy, diversity and global spirit of the tournament.
Artists scheduled to perform include Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Elyanna, Jessie Reyez, Michael Bublé, Nora Fatehi, Sanjoy, Vegedream and William Prince, among others.
According to FIFA, the ceremony will take fans on a journey across Canada, highlighting moments and stories that reflect the country’s culture, people and landscapes.
Fans encouraged to arrive early
Supporters heading to the opening match between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina are encouraged to arrive well ahead of kickoff.
FIFA says stadium gates will open four hours before the match, giving fans access to a full slate of activities, including exclusive activations, rewards, interactive experiences and pre-match entertainment.
Entertainment continues throughout the tournament
The festivities won’t end with the opening ceremony.
Fans can also enjoy performances during the FIFA Countdown Concert and throughout the tournament at the FIFA Fan Festival, where live music and entertainment will be featured alongside the matches.
Opening ceremonies across North America
Toronto won’t be the only host city welcoming fans with major entertainment.
In the United States, stars will light up the stage in Los Angeles on June 12 as part of the city’s opening celebrations. Performers are expected to include Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema and Tyla, among others.
Meanwhile, Mexico City will host its opening ceremony on Thursday, June 11. The event is set to feature performances from Shakira, Burna Boy, Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná and Tyla among the headliners.
