The wait for the 2026 World Cup is nearly over and the tournament is set to be launched in spectacular fashion thanks to the unprecedented nature of its setup.This years finals are the first to be hosted by multiple countries, with the United States, Canada and Mexico all staging the competition, boasting the elusive element of home advantage for footballs greatest showpiece.Three host nations means three separate opening ceremonies for each of their opening games, as is traditionally done, with the trio roping in A-list artists and other performers to set the tone for the biggest event on the football calendar.These three elaborate productions are being orchestrated by Italian producer Marco Balich, renowned for his work on this years Milan Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony.Heres everything you need to know about who is performing at the World Cup 2026 opening ceremonies.Mexico opening ceremonyMexico will get World Cup proceedings underway with their opening ceremony at 6:30pm BST on Thursday 11 June in Mexico City.Held at Mexico City Stadium, better known worldwide as the Estadio Azteca, the ceremony will take place ahead of the Group A clash between Mexico and South Africa, a repeat of the clash that rose the curtain on the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg.Shakira and Burna Boy will perform at the first opening ceremony (AP)Shakira and Burna Boy are poised to headline the spectacle, performing the official tournament song, Dai Dai. Additional performers include Alejandro Fernndez, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los ngeles Azules, Man, and Tyla.Canada opening ceremonyCanada will then take the spotlight for their opening ceremony in Toronto, kicking off at 6:30pm BST on Friday 12 June at BMO Field ahead of the host nations clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina.Leading the line-up is none other than Canadian icon Michael Buble, with the likes of Alessia Cara and Alanis Morissette among the other featured performers.Michael Buble will perform at the opening ceremony in Canada (Reuters)Palestinian singer Elyanna will also perform while French artist Vegedream, who is best known for his the timeless anthem Ramenez la coupe a la maison which celebrated Frances World Cup win in 2018.Jessie Reyez, Nora Fatehi, Sanjoy and William Prince are also on the bill.USA opening ceremonyThen to Los Angeles, where the United States will put on the third and final World Cup opening ceremony. Getting started at 12:30am BST on Saturday 13 June before the US clash with Paraguay, the spectacle will be staged at the SoFi Stadium - the newest stadium being used at this summers tournament.International pop star Katy Perry will headline in her home state, joined by rapper Future.Katy Perry headlines the third and final opening ceremony in the United States (AFP/Getty)Tyla will also appear at her second ceremony having performed across the border in Mexico, along with Thai-born star Lisa from K-pop band Blackpink, Nigerian artist Rema and Brazilian singer Anitta.The US has a history of memorable moments when it comes to World Cup opening ceremonies, including Diana Ross's famous missed penalty ahead of the 1994 World Cup in Chicago.

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A World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the United States arrived Wednesday in Somalias capital of Mogadishu, where he was received by a crowd of supporters and officials.Omar Artan was set to be the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup after making FIFAs final list for the tournament. He is one of Africas top referees and was named the continents best male referee in 2025.He was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Saturday over vetting concerns, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement without giving details of those concerns. FIFA subsequently cut him from the tournament's referee list.Artan was issued a visa to travel to the U.S. last week, according to the Somalia Embassy in Kenya that processed it.He returned to a heros welcome at the airport in Mogadishu, where he thanked the Somali government and people as well as FIFA for their support for him.I promise you, God willing, that I will attend the next one, he said as hundreds of supporters at the airport waved the Somali flag. I want the Somali public to take comfort in this and remain confident. The U.S.'s highly unusual move to deny a FIFA-appointed match official permission to enter a World Cup host country drew outrage across the world and raised questions among some fans about America's capacity to host the competition.Somalia is one of nearly 40 countries subject to new travel restrictions under the Trump administrations crackdown on immigration.

A World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the United States arrived Wednesday in Somalias capital of Mogadishu, where he was received by a crowd of supporters and officials.Omar Artan was set to be the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup after making FIFAs final list for the tournament. He is one of Africas top referees and was named the continents best male referee in 2025.He was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Saturday over vetting concerns, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement without giving details of those concerns. FIFA subsequently cut him from the tournament's referee list.Artan was issued a visa to travel to the U.S. last week, according to the Somalia Embassy in Kenya that processed it.He returned to a heros welcome at the airport in Mogadishu, where he thanked the Somali government and people as well as FIFA for their support for him.I promise you, God willing, that I will attend the next one, he said as hundreds of supporters at the airport waved the Somali flag. I want the Somali public to take comfort in this and remain confident. The U.S.'s highly unusual move to deny a FIFA-appointed match official permission to enter a World Cup host country drew outrage across the world and raised questions among some fans about America's capacity to host the competition.Somalia is one of nearly 40 countries subject to new travel restrictions under the Trump administrations crackdown on immigration.

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AFTER COUPE DU MONDE. La Coupe du monde 2026 dbute le 11 juin prochain au Mexique, aux tats-Unis et au Canada. RMC Sport fait le tour des slections qualifies et de leurs chances dans la comptition. L'Argentine, tenante du titre, fait encore partie des favoris avec Lionel Messi pour son probable dernier Mondial.

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