When the World Cup becomes “super entertainment”

The opening ceremony will take place on June 11, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. (local time). FIFA specifies that the program will last approximately 45 minutes and will feature many internationally renowned artists.

Shakira, who made an impression with her hit “Waka Waka” during the 2010 World Cup, will return to the international stage with Burna Boy to perform the official anthem of the tournament. Alongside him, we will find J Balvin, Tyla, Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, Los à ngeles Azules and the rock group Maná. Such a lineup of artists would make many international music award ceremonies green with envy.

For decades, World Cup opening ceremonies typically lasted only a few dozen minutes and featured spectacles showcasing the cultural symbols of the host country. But FIFA is designing the 2026 World Cup in a completely different way.

Many media pundits believe this World Cup is the most typically American in history. Instead of focusing solely on football, FIFA is trying to turn the tournament into a global entertainment product, like the Super Bowl in the United States, where the spectacle sometimes attracts as much attention as the game itself.

It wasn’t just about the opening ceremony. For the first time in the history of the World Cup, FIFA has confirmed that a show will be offered at half-time of the final. This concept, familiar to American sports fans, is unprecedented in the more than 90 years of World Cup history.

Additionally, FIFA and host cities are preparing dozens of FIFA Fan Festival zones in the United States, Mexico and Canada. These spaces will offer broadcasts of football matches, concerts, interactive activities, exhibitions, video games and technological experiences.

In many host cities, fans without stadium tickets can still participate in festivals that last from dawn to dusk, welcoming tens of thousands of people each day.

A technological feast

If entertainment is one of the strengths, technology should be the differentiator of the 2026 World Cup.

The tournament will take place in some of the most modern stadiums in the world. SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles features a giant annular screen over 1,000 meters long, considered one of the most impressive sports display systems on the planet.

AT&T Stadium in Texas is famous for its giant center screen visible from every seat in the stands. For its part, the MetLife stadium, which will host the final, is undergoing major modernization work to meet the latest FIFA technological standards.

At many venues, fans will use fully electronic tickets, combining facial recognition technology and mobile platforms to reduce wait times and improve security.

FIFA is also intensifying the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the running of the tournament. AI is used to analyze audience data, predict viewer flows, optimize security measures and facilitate the delivery of real-time information to fans.

In the official tournament apps, spectators can access a range of personalized features such as live statistics, additional camera angles, content tailored to their preferences and AI-powered interactive experiences.

Furthermore, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies should be more widespread than during previous World Cups. Several FIFA commercial partners are developing products that allow fans to experience stadiums, go behind the scenes or interact with digital content directly on their smartphone.

Broadcasters are also preparing for a marked improvement in broadcast quality. The 2026 World Cup is expected to become the most digitally content-generating sporting event of all time, with thousands of hours of live broadcasts, millions of short-form videos and massive interaction across social media. FIFA predicts the tournament will reach around 6 billion people worldwide via television and digital platforms.

From the opening ceremony featuring a host of music superstars, to the final halftime show, to large-scale fan festivals and the most advanced technological applications, the 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be much more than just a football tournament.

The ambition is to transform the biggest sporting event on the planet into a global festival of entertainment and technology, where football remains central but is no longer the only element in the spotlight.