Katy Perry brought a touch of California sunshine to the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony on Friday night (June 12). Taking center stage at Inglewood’s Los Angeles Stadium—commonly known as SoFi Stadium—the pop icon headlined a vibrant international showcase that featured powerhouse performances from LISA, Anitta, Tyla, Rema, Future, Dan + Shay, and Purahei Soul.
The festivities ignited 90 minutes before kickoff, with Future and Tyla delivering a high-energy rendition of their tournament anthem, “Game Time.” Shortly after, LISA, Anitta, and Rema kept the momentum soaring with “Goals,” a standout track from the official World Cup soundtrack. As the ceremony reached its peak, Katy Perry graced the field alongside 10-year-old Norwegian vocalist Tius Luka for a stirring performance of her 2024 ballad “Wonder.” The spectacle was framed by a sea of flags representing every competing nation, followed by a poignant performance of the Paraguayan national anthem by Purahei Soul and a stirring version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by country duo Dan + Shay.
The night concluded on a high note for the home crowd, as the U.S. Men’s National Team secured a decisive 4-1 victory over Paraguay, setting the stage for their upcoming June 19 clash against Australia.
This California celebration served as the final chapter of a grand three-part opening sequence for the 2026 tournament. It followed Thursday’s festivities at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca—starring Shakira, Burna Boy, and J Balvin—and a star-studded event at Toronto’s BMO Field featuring Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, and Alessia Cara. Notably, Tyla emerged as the only artist to grace two separate opening stages, while Shakira is already confirmed to anchor the tournament’s grand finale halftime show, alongside global heavyweights BTS and Madonna.
Below, we look back at the standout musical highlights that defined the evening.
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Katy Perry
Katy Perry offered a live debut of “Wonder,” pulled from her 2024 studio album 143. By inviting young Norwegian singer Tius Luka to share the stage, Perry emphasized the track’s core message: preserving a sense of childhood optimism as the years pass. With the poignant lyric, “One day, when we’re older/ Will we still look up in wonder?” it served as a resonant, universal anthem for fans of all generations.
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LISA, Anitta & Rema
A true masterclass in global collaboration, the trio of LISA, Anitta, and Rema perfectly captured the spirit of the World Cup with their hit, “Goals.” LISA commanded the field early, delivering the track’s confident, rhythmic hooks before being joined by Anitta and Rema. Clad in coordinating white ensembles and flanked by an electric dance troupe, the trio sent the stadium’s energy into overdrive just minutes before the whistle blew.
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Future & Tyla
Setting a frantic pace for the evening, Future and Tyla were the first to hit the turf. The Atlanta-bred rapper set the tone with his verses about late-night dedication, while Tyla injected a smooth, infectious energy that turned the performance into a high-stakes kickoff call-to-action.
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Dan + Shay and Purahei Soul
Representing their respective nations, Purahei Soul opened the ceremony with a beautiful rendition of the Paraguayan national anthem, followed by Dan + Shay’s polished take on “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The country duo’s tight harmonies proved to be the performance’s anchor, drawing attention from the stadium’s VIP box—where Tom Cruise, David Beckham, and Victoria Beckham watched on—before the evening ended in a spectacular explosion of pyrotechnics.
