World Cup 2026 opening ceremony: Start time, performers, and Irish TV channel
The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins with an opening ceremony in Mexico City featuring performances by Shakira and Burna Boy. This event is the first of three distinct opening ceremonies planned across the host nations of Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
Why it matters
The 2026 World Cup represents a major shift in tournament logistics, utilizing a multi-nation hosting model that impacts global sports tourism and cultural diplomacy.
Shakira, pictured here performing at the closing ceremony of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Rio de Janeiro, will perform the opening ceremony in Mexico City on Thursday night. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.
The report provides logistical and scheduling information regarding a major international sporting event without political or cultural bias.
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