The FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony in Los Angeles turned into a spectacular musical extravaganza as K-pop sensation Lisa of Blackpink and global pop icon Katy Perry delivered show-stopping performances at the SoFi Stadium .
The ceremony marked the grand finale of a three-part celebration staged across the host nations, following festivities in Mexico City on June 11 and Toronto on June 12 .
Lisa Makes History as First K-pop Girl Group Member
Lisa became the first female K-pop idol to perform at a World Cup opening ceremony, following BTS member Jung Kook’s appearance at the 2022 Qatar World Cup .
The Blackpink member opened the show in a striking white outfit featuring a corset, shorts, and matching boots, surrounded by dancers in sports-inspired costumes. The stage was decorated with iconic Los Angeles landmarks, including surfboards, palm trees, and a miniature Santa Monica Ferris wheel .
Lisa shared the stage with Brazilian icon Anitta and Nigerian superstar Rema to perform “Goals,” one of the official tracks from the 2026 FIFA World Cup album . The collaboration blended K-pop, Latin pop, and Afrobeats, creating an electric atmosphere that captivated the 70,000-strong crowd .
Katy Perry’s Emotional ‘Wonder’ Performance
Katy Perry, 41, delivered an emotional highlight of the evening with the live debut of her song “Wonder” from her album *143* .
The performance held special significance as Perry was joined on stage by 10-year-old Norwegian singer Tius Luka, whose voice was featured on the original recording. Tius was just five years old when his vocals were recorded in 2021, and he flew from Norway to Los Angeles to appear alongside Perry at the ceremony .
Perry looked surreal in a shimmery, silver fringe gown for the heartfelt performance, which she had previously teased as a song she had “never sang before” live .
Star-Studded Performances and Celebrity Attendance
The Los Angeles ceremony featured an impressive lineup of international artists:
- Future and Tyla kicked off the show with “Game Time,” another official World Cup track
- Lisa, Anitta, and Rema performed “Goals” in coordinating white outfits
- Dan + Shay sang the US national anthem, while Purahei Soul performed the Paraguay national anthem
The atmosphere inside the 70,000-capacity stadium was electric, with numerous celebrities in attendance, including Tom Cruise, David Beckham, Halle Berry, Rob Lowe, Owen Wilson, and Paris Hilton .
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attended the ceremony, while President Donald Trump reportedly spoke with members of the US team by phone to wish them well for the tournament .
A Historic Tournament Kickoff
The opening ceremony preceded the Group D match between the United States and Paraguay . The match marked the US team’s first World Cup appearance on home soil since 1994, adding to the significance of the occasion .
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first time three nations have jointly hosted the tournament . The tournament has expanded to 48 teams and will feature 104 matches across 16 host cities, running from June 11 to July 19 .
The opening festivities began in Mexico City on June 11 with performances by Shakira and other Latin artists, followed by the Canadian ceremony in Toronto on June 12. The Los Angeles ceremony served as the grand finale of this three-part celebration .
