Katy Perry, Future, Tyla – and a young Norwegian singer: The 2026 World Cup has also officially opened in the USA with a star line-up and the surprising appearance of a child. However, the celebration in Los Angeles was less spectacular than many expected.
Where else, if not in the global entertainment capital, should the World Cup have been kicked off in the USA? And of course the organizers in Los Angeles didn’t skimp on the big cutlery. Numerous international stars were there at SoFi Stadium, the most expensive stadium of all time with construction costs of around $5.5 billion. But first things first.
“We are soccer, football and futbol”
A choreography accompanied by drums, which focused on an artist in a gold outfit, and the distinctive exclamation “We are soccer, football and futbol” by the stadium announcer opened the show before the stage was cleared and an oversized replica of the World Cup trophy was unveiled.
The first musical highlights were then provided by international greats such as the South African singer Tyla and US rapper Future, who also presented the World Cup song “Game Time”, which could already be heard at the opening ceremony on Thursday evening in Mexico. Of course, bright colors, light shows and fireworks were not to be missed.
Katy Perry joins the duo Young singers on
By the way: When the show started 90 minutes before kick-off between the USA and Paraguay, there were still many seats available in the wide area of the stadium. As the two teams entered the field to begin their warm-up program, it slowly but surely filled up. Also because everything is waiting for Katy Perry’s big show highlight.
The fans had to be patient until the 41-year-old’s appearance. First, the flags of all World Cup participants were carried over two large golden fabric strips across the lawn to the middle of the pitch to the applause of the spectators and the nations were introduced once again. At the very end, the flags of the three host countries were presented before Katy Perry performed.
Surrounded by the flags of the participating nations and in a duo with Tius Luka, the pop icon sang the song “Wonder” to the cheers of the fans. Luka is a young Norwegian singer and social media artist who has gained particular fame through cover versions such as “Forever Young” (Alphaville).
Tius Luka (l.) and Katy Perry
Amazingly modest celebration in LA
The XXL World Cup was officially opened in the USA. Atmospheric parties had previously been held in Mexico City and Toronto – a novelty: for the first time in the history of the World Cup, there were three opening ceremonies – one for each host country.
In Los Angeles, in addition to the stars on stage, there were also all sorts of well-known personalities in the stands – including many celebrities from show business such as Tom Cruise, Owen Wilson and Jessica Alba. Football icon David Beckham and basketball greats Kareem Abdul Jabar and Klay Thompson also attended the event.
Despite the star turnout, compared to those in Mexico City and Toronto, the opening ceremony was less colorful and spectacular than many might have expected in advance. In fact, the ceremony seemed surprisingly modest by US standards.
Trump stays Opening ceremony remote
As expected, US President Donald Trump stayed away from the celebration and the USA’s opening game against Paraguay. Trump had already canceled his participation in advance. Instead, Foreign Minister Marco Rubio was there together with a government delegation. Trump had given the national team a few words in advance. “I think you have a really good chance of getting to the top. I just want to wish you good luck” said the US President.
Previously, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney was not at the opening ceremony in Toronto due to a visit to France before the G7 summit, contrary to a previous announcement. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also skipped the ceremony in Mexico City and her team’s subsequent first World Cup game – according to her own statements in protest against the tournament’s high ticket prices. Instead, she gave her ticket away to a 21-year-old Mexican woman.
After the game against Paraguay, the USA is waiting for the Australian national team, which will play its first game against Turkey on June 14th at 6 a.m. (CEST).
Germany’s national team will also play for the first time on Sunday, June 14th. Kick-off is at 7 p.m. (CEST). The game runs live on sportschau.de, on ARD and in the ARD media library. The World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada is the largest of all time. 48 nations are playing 104 games in 16 stadiums – more than ever before