The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially arrived in the United States with a star-studded celebration Friday night as Katy Perry, LISA, Anitta, Tyla, Rema, Future, Dan + Shay and Purahei Soul delivered unforgettable performances during the USA Opening Ceremony at Los Angeles Stadium before the U.S. Men's National Team defeated Paraguay 4-1.
Held in front of a packed crowd in Inglewood, California, the event showcased the global reach of both music and football, bringing together artists from North America, South America, Africa, Asia and Oceania for one of the most internationally diverse opening ceremonies in World Cup history.
The festivities began approximately 90 minutes before kickoff, with Atlanta rap superstar Future and South African breakout star Tyla taking the stage for a high-energy performance of "Game Time," one of the signature songs from the official 2026 FIFA World Cup soundtrack. The pair immediately energized the crowd, setting the tone for a night that blended sports, entertainment and international culture.
Moments later, BLACKPINK member LISA joined Brazilian superstar Anitta and Nigerian hitmaker Rema for a performance of their World Cup collaboration "Goals." Dressed in coordinated white outfits and backed by a large group of dancers, the trio transformed the stadium into a massive global dance party. Their appearance highlighted the increasingly international nature of modern pop music, bringing together artists representing Thailand, Brazil and Nigeria on one of the world's biggest stages.
After an extended buildup leading toward kickoff, Katy Perry emerged as the evening's headlining performer. The pop superstar delivered the live debut of "Wonder" from her 2024 album 143, joined by 10-year-old Norwegian singer Tius Luka. Surrounded by the flags of every nation participating in the World Cup, Perry's uplifting performance emphasized themes of unity, hope and wonder, fitting messages for the world's largest sporting event.
The emotional centerpiece of the ceremony provided a striking contrast to the high-energy performances that preceded it. As fans waved flags from across the globe, the performance underscored FIFA's ongoing efforts to celebrate the tournament as a gathering of cultures and nations.
The ceremony concluded with a pair of national anthem performances. Paraguayan duo Purahei Soul, consisting of Jennifer Hicks Enciso and Miguel Narvaez, performed Paraguay's national anthem before country stars Dan + Shay delivered a polished rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" for the American crowd.
Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney's trademark harmonies drew loud applause from the audience, while fireworks erupted throughout the stadium. Celebrity guests in attendance included actor Tom Cruise and football icon David Beckham, who was seated alongside wife Victoria Beckham, adding even more star power to the event.
The Los Angeles celebration marked the final of three opening ceremonies held across North America as part of the historic 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mexico City launched the tournament with performances from Shakira, Burna Boy, Maná, J Balvin, Belinda, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs and Los Ángeles Azules, while Toronto hosted a Canadian ceremony featuring Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez, Nora Fatehi, Elyanna and William Prince.
Notably, Tyla became the only artist to appear at multiple World Cup opening ceremonies, performing in both Mexico and the United States during the tournament's opening days.
The musical celebrations are far from over. FIFA has already announced that global superstar Shakira will headline the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final halftime show alongside BTS and Madonna, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated entertainment events in sports history.
While the music captured headlines, the U.S. Men's National Team gave fans plenty to celebrate on the field as well. The Americans opened their World Cup campaign with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Paraguay, providing the perfect ending to a night that showcased the excitement, diversity and spectacle of the world's biggest sporting event.
With sold-out crowds, global superstars and a convincing U.S. victory, the FIFA World Cup's American debut delivered exactly the kind of unforgettable moment organizers envisioned as the tournament continues across North America.
