Countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup: New York and New Jersey are preparing
Alex Lasry, CEO of the NYNJ Host Committee, discusses the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in New York and New Jersey. He outlines plans for free fan experiences in five counties and New Jersey, with a focus on public transportation solutions for 1.2 million fans. Lasry confirms that real turf will be installed at MetLife Stadium for the event, highlighting the global enthusiasm for this major sporting event.
The biggest sporting event in the world, the 2026 FIFA World Cupis just weeks away, returning to North America and the United States for the first time since 1994.
FIFA announced its first halftime show for the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. In a post on Shakira is expected to release the World Cup’s official song, “Dai Dai,” later on Thursday.
The show will also “raise funds for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund,” which is dedicated to “increasing access to quality education and football for children around the world.”
FOX will broadcast the entire tournament, with opening games beginning June 11 Mexico. El Tri hosts South Africa in Mexico City while South Korea takes on Croatia in Guadalajara.
(LR) V, Suga, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Jimin and J-Hope of BTS attend the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 3, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
The next day the other two hosts will play their first group phase games. Canada plays in Group B against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto. The US men’s national team, which has had difficult months in recent friendlies, will then play its first game against Paraguay in Los Angeles. They then travel to Seattle to play Australia on June 19th before completing the group stage against Turkey in LA on June 25th.
Given the size and scope of the tournament and its staging in the US, it’s no surprise that FIFA is pulling out all the stops to provide entertainment.
The FIFA World Cup trophy will be displayed in front of the White House in Washington, DC prior to the FIFA World Cup draw on December 2, 2025. (Michael Regan/FIFA)
The Football Association has already put together an extensive entertainment program to kick off the tournament in the host countries. Music acts like will perform at an opening ceremony on June 12 in Los Angeles Katy PerryFuture, Anitta, LISA, Rema and Tyla.
“This opening ceremony in Los Angeles represents the extraordinary scale of what the 2026 FIFA World Cup will become.” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement. “The artist lineup reflects the cultural diversity of the United States and the vibrancy of its many diasporas, highlighting the country’s rich influence on music, entertainment and popular culture, while demonstrating the power of music to bring people together across the country.”
SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles is one of 16 stadiums selected to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including 11 in the United States (Getty Images)
This ceremony begins 90 minutes before the start of the US game and complements two other opening ceremonies in Canada and Mexico. The opening game in Toronto will feature Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Elyanna, Jessie Reyez, Michael Bublé, Nora Fatehi, Sanjoy, Vegedream and William Prince.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T@ME PODCAST ON THE GO. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Opening Ceremony headliners in Mexico include Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná and Tyla.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Shakira performs at the 2025 Suenos Music Festival at Grant Park on May 24, 2025 in Chicago. (Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Previous World Cup finals participants include stars such as Carlos Santana and Wycleaf Jean at the 2014 tournament in Brazil. Will Smith was among those who sang at the 2018 final in Russia and Davido, Aisha and Ozuna were part of the 2022 closing ceremony in Qatar.
Over 100 games. 16 cities are home to three of them Countries. Over a month of action culminating in a momentous finale in New Jersey. The World Cup always delivers something.
