The upcoming World Cup is poised to make history with not just one, but three star-filled opening ceremonies taking place across the host countries — the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Overseeing these ambitious productions is Italian producer Marco Balich, who gained acclaim for his recent work on the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony earlier this year.
Balich, who recently coordinated an Olympic event that spanned four separate venues, said he is fully prepared to manage the complex task of creating three unique shows in three different cities. Each location will have a dedicated team of around 260 to 300 members executing the creative vision.
According to Balich, the unifying theme across all ceremonies will be “the celebration of sport and the passion for football, symbolised by the cup itself.” He explained that each show will “tell the story from three different perspectives and in three languages,” with visual elements designed to reflect the local culture of each host nation.
In Canada, the performance will highlight a mosaic that embodies the country’s multicultural spirit. Mexico’s show will draw on its rich tradition through colourful papel picado designs, while the United States will feature what Balich described as “a super shiny, glowing cup.” Balich previously helmed the opening ceremony at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
He praised the unity between the three host nations, calling their cooperation “a very good sign” for what he hopes will be “a peaceful World Cup.”
“It’s very important that we emphasise how the three countries are working together to host such a major and meaningful championship,” Balich said. “Especially now, when political tensions are high, it’s a reminder that people can still come together and enjoy the game.”
Each of the three ceremonies will include performances that reflect the cultural and artistic identity of the host country. However, Balich was quick to clarify that viewers should not expect a Super Bowl-style halftime extravaganza.
Instead, the ceremonies will combine official welcomes, flag parades, the presentation of the match ball, and about 30 minutes of musical performances. “It’s a celebration of football, Fifa, and the way the sport brings people together in peace and harmony,” Balich said.
The ceremonies are expected to begin roughly 90 minutes before kick-off, following a 25-minute warm-up period for players — a schedule designed to encourage fans to arrive early and soak in the atmosphere.
Balich drew a clear line between the World Cup and the Super Bowl, remarking, “While the Super Bowl celebrates a game that’s really only popular in the US, football is a global sport that unites people through shared passion.”
The celebrations will start on June 11 in Mexico City, just before the Mexico City–South Africa match, with performances by Latin rock band Maná, Colombian artist J Balvin, and South African pop sensation Tyla.
The festivities will continue on June 12 in Toronto, ahead of the Canada–Bosnia and Herzegovina fixture, featuring Canadian stars Alanis Morissette and Michael Bublé.
Later that same day, Los Angeles Stadium will host the USA–Paraguay opening match with a lineup including Katy Perry, global pop icon LISA, Nigerian Afrobeats artist Rema, Brazilian star Anitta, and American rapper Future.
Balich holds the rare distinction of producing two of the world’s biggest sporting ceremonies this year — the 2026 Winter Games opening and the 2026 World Cup — even as his home nation, Italy, misses its third straight World Cup appearance.
“It’s actually encouraging to make up for the sadness of Italy not being there,” he said, adding that Italy’s absence — “which is a disaster for us” — has allowed him to approach each host nation’s celebrations “with true impartiality.”
