Katy Perry, Anitta Headline 2026 World Cup Opening Ceremony in U.S.

American singer Katy Perry and Brazilian star Anitta led a constellation of performers at the opening ceremony for the 2026 World Cup in the United States. The spectacle unfolded Friday before the opening match between the host nation and Paraguay in Group D. The event also featured hip-hop artist Future and Lisa, a member of the K-pop group Blackpink. The ceremony, held at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, drew notable figures such as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Paraguay's President Santiago Peña. Actor Tom Cruise, accompanied by former soccer player David Beckham, was also in attendance. A marching band, with drummers dressed in red, white, and blue, kicked off the show. A large replica of the FIFA World Cup trophy was present as the stadium, initially showing many empty seats, gradually filled. Lisa performed a segment paying homage to West Coast culture, appearing on a surfboard. Anitta joined her on stage shortly after, in a venue that appeared surprisingly less than full. Perry took the stage minutes before the U.S.-Paraguay match, performing the song 'WONDER' with a young Norwegian boy named Luka. Dressed in a voluminous silver gown, her performance generated significant excitement as the stadium neared capacity. The visual concept celebrated Los Angeles landmarks, recreating the famous Route 66 and the iconic Hollywood sign. All artists reconvened on the main stage with a giant World Cup replica to conclude the opening segment with a flourish.