FIFA stages Los Angeles show as US begins its home World Cup
The US ceremony turned the 2026 World Cup into a Hollywood-scale event before Belgium's own campaign begins on 15 June.
In 30 seconds
- FIFA's schedule places the 2026 World Cup from 11 June to 19 July across Canada, Mexico and the United States.
- Event coverage identified Katy Perry, Future, Tyla, Anitta, LISA and Rema among the Los Angeles performers.
- The Associated Press match report said the United States beat Paraguay 4-1 in Inglewood after the ceremony.
- FIFA's schedule lists Belgium's first Group G match against Egypt in Seattle on 15 June.
FIFA (Zurich-based world football governing body, founded in 1904) runs the men's World Cup. FIFA World Cup 2026 (men's tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States from 11 June to 19 July 2026) is the first edition with 48 teams. Los Angeles Stadium (FIFA tournament name for SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California) hosted the US ceremony and opener. Katy Perry (American pop singer), Future (American rapper), Tyla (South African singer), Anitta (Brazilian singer), LISA (Thai member of K-pop group Blackpink) and Rema (Nigerian singer) were the headline music acts identified in event coverage. Jason Sudeikis (American actor known for football comedy Ted Lasso) hosted elements of the ceremony. Paraguay (South American national team returning to the World Cup after missing recent editions) faced the United States men's national team, while Belgium's Red Devils begin in Group G.
Background
FIFA's Council approved the 48-team expansion in 2017, replacing the 32-team format used from France 1998 through Qatar 2022. FIFA then confirmed in 2023 that the 2026 edition would use 12 groups of four and 104 matches, abandoning an earlier three-team-group plan. The 1994 United States World Cup was the last men's tournament staged there, while Mexico hosted in 1970 and 1986 and Canada had never co-hosted the men's event before 2026. The Los Angeles ceremony therefore fits a longer FIFA move toward larger tournaments, bigger host markets and more television-driven presentation.
Why now
The story is timely because the United States staged its first host-nation ceremony and match on 12 June, one day after Mexico opened the tournament and three days before Belgium's scheduled Group G opener.
What happens next
Watch Belgium's 15 June opener against Egypt, then the later Group G matches against Iran and New Zealand. Also watch whether the expanded format makes third-place qualification relevant for Belgium if the group tightens.
What to do
Belgian readers planning to follow the tournament should check local kick-off times, broadcast availability and venue schedules for communal screenings. The Los Angeles opener is mainly a signal that the daily World Cup cycle has begun; Belgium-specific viewing plans become urgent from the Egypt match on 15 June.
How we got here
- 2017-01-10
FIFA approved expanding the men's World Cup to 48 teams from the 2026 edition.
- 2023-03-14
FIFA confirmed a 104-match format with 12 groups of four teams.
- 2026-06-11
The 2026 World Cup opened in Mexico.
- 2026-06-12
Canada and the United States staged their first home-match ceremonies.
- 2026-06-15
FIFA's schedule lists Belgium's Group G opener against Egypt in Seattle.
EvidenceWell established · 1 primary source + 2 official documents + 3 independent reporting sourcesExplore evidence →Hide evidence ↑
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- 13 Jun 2026, 02:00
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- 12 Jun 2026, 02:00
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- 13 Jun 2026
- Publication date unavailable
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- 13 Jun 2026
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