Sports analysts have already described the upcoming edition of the FIFA World Cup 2026 as a landmark event in global sporting history, featuring an expanded format and unprecedented scale.
For the first time, the tournament will be jointly hosted by three countries Mexico, Canada, and the United States marking a new milestone in World Cup history. It will also be the first edition to feature 48 teams, significantly increasing participation compared to previous tournaments.
A unique feature of this year’s event is the organization of three separate opening ceremonies across the host nations, each scheduled 90 minutes before the respective opening matches.
The first ceremony will take place at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City at 11:30 p.m. Sri Lanka time today, where global artists Shakira and Burna Boy are expected to perform the official World Cup theme song live for the first time.
Canada’s opening ceremony will be held in Toronto at 11:00 p.m. Sri Lanka time tomorrow (12), while the United States ceremony will take place in Los Angeles at 5:30 a.m. on the 13th, featuring several international stars.
The opening match of the tournament is scheduled for 12:30 a.m. tomorrow (12) in Mexico City, where hosts Mexico will face South Africa in the first game of the competition.
