How to watch World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremonies: Free Streams & TV Channels
The World Cup 2026 promises to be bigger than ever before which means three Opening Ceremonies
- Mexico Opening Ceremony date & time: Thursday 11 June, 11:30am local time / 6:30pm BST / 1:30pm ET
- Watch free on BBC/ITV (UK) / SBS (AUS) / CazéTV's YouTube (Brazil) / Tubi (United States)
- Unlock your free streams with Norton VPN (60-day money back guarantee)
It's going to be the biggest World Cup...in the world. 48 countries playing 104 matches across 39 days and it's suitable that they have an extended Opening Ceremony across the three hosting countries to match this extended spectacle.
90 minutes before the first game kicks off in Mexico, Canada and the United States, the Opening Ceremony will get things started in each of these countries. You can expect fireworks, confetti and a star-studded line-up from each unique ceremony which will have their own take on events.
Mexico kicks things off on Thursday 11 June, with Shakira and Burna Boy headlining the ceremony alongside the official tournament song, “Dai Dai”.
Attention then turns to Canada on Friday 12 June, where Michael Bublé leads the line-up, joined by Alessia Cara and Alanis Morissette.
Finally, the focus shifts to the United States on Saturday 13 June (UK time), as they go all out with performances from Katy Perry, Future and Tyla at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
So, read on as we show you exactly how to watch each World Cup Opening Ceremony and what it will entail for free.
How to watch the World Cup Opening Ceremonies for free
You've got a variety of ways depending where you are in the world.
We'll outline them all below but bear in mind with Norton VPN you can access any of these streams wherever you are in the world.
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- 🇬🇧 UK: BBC/ITV
- 🇦🇺 Australia: SBS On Demand
- 🇧🇷 Brazil: CazéTV's YouTube
- 🇧🇪 Belgium: RTBF / VRT
- 🇮🇪 Ireland: RTE Player
- 🇳🇱 Netherlands: NOS
- 🇨🇭 Switzerland: SRF Play / RTS Play / RSI Play
- 🇹🇷 Turkey: TRT
- 🇺🇸 United States: Tubi (Mexico and US ceremonies only)
Abroad? Can't access your free stream? Unblock your free World Cup opening ceremony stream with Norton VPN — more on that below.
Use a VPN to watch the World Cup Opening Ceremonies live streams
It’s the World Cup, and if you’re traveling, you might discover your Opening Ceremony stream is suddenly unavailable due to geo-restrictions.
Don’t worry, that’s exactly where a VPN can help. A virtual private network lets you connect to servers around the world so you can securely access your usual World Cup coverage as if you were back home.
We recommend Norton VPN. Here's why:
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How to watch the World Cup Opening Ceremonies in the US
In the US, you can stream every opening ceremony live on Fox.
Fox is available on cord-cutters like YouTube TV (free trial), Hulu+Live TV, Sling (select markets), Fubo or DirecTV.
Those looking for a streaming service instead can watch it on Fox One (3-day free trial).
Don't forget you can also watch the Mexico and US opening ceremonies for free on Tubi.
Visiting the US from the UK? You can still watch your World Cup ceremony for free thanks to Norton VPN (try for 60 days).
How to watch the World Cup Opening Ceremonies in the UK
UK customers are in luck as they can stream the World Cup Opening Ceremonies for free across BBC and ITV.
ITV will show the opening ceremony in Mexico, while BBC have coverage of the Canadian and US ceremonies.
You require a TV license and a valid UK postcode for accounts (e.g. SE1 7PB).
Norton VPN can unlock your stream if you're abroad for any ceremony.
How to watch the World Cup Opening Ceremonies in Australia
The World Cup Opening Ceremonies will be shown for free in Australia on SBS On Demand.
The streaming platform has all the ceremonies for free, making it the perfect place for your World Cup viewing.
Traveling for work or on holiday? A VPN like Norton VPN can help unlock your free stream.
How to watch the World Cup Opening Ceremonies in Canada
In Canada, TSN will broadcast every single one of the World Cup ceremonies.
You can live stream via the TSN+ streaming platform, which costs CA$8 per month or CA$80 per year.
CTV will also have two with both the Mexico and Canada ceremonies available on their platform.
Outside of Canada? Use Norton VPN whilst you're traveling away from home to unlock your stream.
The World Cup Opening Ceremonies: Information
What time do the Opening Ceremonies start?
It depends which one you mean!
All the ceremonies start 90 minutes before kickoff and are led by Mexico on Thursday 11 June at 11:30am local time / 6:30pm BST / 1:30pm ET.
Canada will then follow suit on Friday 12 June at 11:30am local time / 6:30pm BST / 1:30pm ET.
And last but not least you have America's opening ceremony also on Friday 12 June at 4:30pm PT / 12:30am BST / 7:30pm ET.
Who is performing at the World Cup Opening Ceremonies?
In short: a wide variety of artists.
In long: Shakira, Michael Buble, Tyla (twice), Katy Perry, Lisa from Blackpink, J Balvin, Rema and Anitta...among many others and potentially some more surprises.
Can I watch the World Cup Opening Ceremonies on my mobile?
Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser.
You can also stay up-to-date with all of the key World Cup moments on the official social media channels on X/Twitter (@FIFAWorldCup), Instagram (@FIFAWorldCup), TikTok (@FIFAWorldCup) and YouTube (@FIFA).
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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