The opening ceremony: football had never done this before

Three countries. Three simultaneous ceremonies. Three national anthems at the same time across three different time zones. The 2026 World Cup started with a statement of intent.

In Mexico City, dancers flooded the Azteca pitch as 87,000 people sang in unison. In Toronto, Canada hosted its first men's World Cup matches. In Los Angeles, the SoFi Stadium went full Hollywood spectacle.

48 nations. 104 matches. 16 cities. The road to the July 19 final in New York is officially open.