The 2026 FIFA World Cup opened across Mexico City, Toronto and Los Angeles on June 11 and June 12, turning three cities into one long opening act for the tournament. Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in Mexico City, Canada settled for a 1-1 tie with Bosnia in Toronto, and Team USA faced Paraguay in Los Angeles Stadium.
The reason the question whos playing today world cup is trending now is simple: the tournament is already underway, and the first days came with the kind of crowd that turns a match into a spectacle. Ryan Reynolds was in the stands in Toronto on June 12, cheering Canada as the hosts played Bosnia, while Paris Hilton, Tobey Maguire, Rob Lowe and Jafaar Jackson were among the names at Los Angeles Stadium for Team USA’s match.
Toronto’s opening night had its own star power beyond the scoreboard. Alanis Morissette appeared at the opening ceremony, and Jessie Reyez, Michael Bublé and Alessia Cara were also part of the June 12 event. In Mexico City, Shakira and Burna Boy headlined the June 11 kickoff, with J Balvin, Tyla, Alejandro Fernandez and Danny Ocean also on stage as the host country began its campaign with a 2-0 win over South Africa.
The celebration, though, did not come with a clean result for every host nation. Canada’s 1-1 draw with Bosnia in Toronto was enough to keep the opening-night mood alive, but not enough to hide that the home side did not turn its moment into a victory. Reynolds, who bought Wrexham alongside Robert McElhenney in 2020 and said in February that he becomes inconsolable when Wrexham loses, watched another match where the emotion in the stands ran ahead of the scoreline.
Los Angeles finished the day with another layered showcase. Future, Tyla, Anitta and LISA performed before Katy Perry ended the festivities at Los Angeles Stadium, while Jaxson Dart, Christen Press and Tobin Heath were present for what was described as the first World Cup soccer game on U.S. soil in 32 years. The World Cup is only just beginning, and the next matches will decide whether this opening burst of celebrity and ceremony gives way to something more satisfying on the field.
