Balich Wonder Studio (BWS) has been chosen by FIFA to direct the interconnected opening ceremonies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place across three host countries: Mexico, the United States, and Canada [1, 2]. The main event will be held on June 11, 2026, at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium, followed by synchronized ceremonies on June 12 in Los Angeles and Toronto [1, 2].
Each ceremony will last 30 minutes plus 15 minutes of protocol time and will be performed in the language of the respective host country. They will share a creative concept based on local cultures, aiming to foster unity among the three nations despite recent complicated relationships [1, 2]. Marco Balich, founder of BWS, said, "It is important to foster a sense of unity among these three countries, whose relationships have been somewhat complicated recently." [1]
The tri-nation format presents the challenge of staging a single event across three locations while respecting each country’s identity. Balich noted, "The challenge is effectively staging a single event across three locations. Creating the right energy while respecting each country's identity is extremely important." [1] The ceremonies will be shorter and more streamlined than Olympic ceremonies, as matches start shortly after [1, 2].
A core team of about 30 people has spent 18 months working from Milan to prepare the ceremonies [1, 2]. BWS previously directed the 2022 FIFA World Cup ceremonies in Qatar and produced numerous Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies. The 2026 World Cup marks the first time a creative studio has staged ceremonies for both the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics and the FIFA World Cup in the same year [1, 2].
The opening ceremony times will be 11:30 a.m. local time in Mexico City, 4:30 p.m. in Los Angeles, and 1:30 p.m. in Toronto [1, 2]. Performers scheduled include Katy Perry, Alanis Morissette, Future, Anitta, Rema and Tyla, LISA, Michael Buble, with Shakira expected to perform the official World Cup song [1, 2].
Marco Balich called it "a World Cup of firsts: three ceremonies in three different countries, 48 teams competing instead of 32, and the first time a creative studio has handled both the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and a World Cup in the same year." [1]
The opening ceremony kicks off on June 11 at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Follow-on ceremonies in Los Angeles and Toronto will take place on June 12 [1, 2].