Mustic and Futbal
You can’t have futbal (soccer to Americans) without music. If you are Brazilian, you need sambas or Anitta’s pop songs. If you are Canadian, Michael Bublé, or Jessie Reyez, add color to the games. If you are America, Katy Perry, or Future will fill the bill.
All these and more will be playing as part of the World Cup, which opens in Mexico City on June 11.
FIFA has announced the music of the opening ceremonies and at least one half-time show for the 2026 World Cup. The opening ceremonies will have different music lineups for Mexico, Canada, and the United States, more or less aimed at the fans in each country.
For Mexico City, FIFA has chosen major Latin and Mexican artists, including Maná, Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Danny Ocean, Los Ángeles Azules, and Tyla. Of the 8 artists, six are Mexican: Maná, Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Lila Downs, and Los Ángeles Azules.
For the Toronto ceremony, the core lineup features five Canadians – Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez, and William Prince – plus non-Canadians Elyanna, Nora Fatehi, Vegedream, and DJ Sanjoy. Nora Fatehi is Indian‑Canadian but mostly hangs out in India, and the remaining two are “international acts”.
The U.S. opening ceremony in Los Angeles is odd man out – only two of the acts are American, Katy Perry and Future. The others – LISA of BLACKPINK, Anitta, Rema, Tyla (she gets two openings!), and DJ Sanjoy are not. Given the xenophobic tilt of the current US administration and its supporters, I am surprised it is not bashing FIFA for being “woke”. Maybe that is why FIFA is billing the LA opening ceremony as a “high‑energy, globally oriented lineup, pairing major American stars with international crossover acts.”
Half-time in New Jersey is also multinational: Madonna, Shakira, and BTS.
Given the astronomical World Cup ticket prices, possible visa snafus, and elevated hotel and ABB prices, most people will enjoy the opening ceremonies and the games on television or online video. Fortunately, FIFA has sold broadcast rights worldwide, so watching or streaming the World Cup programming will be easy.
In the United States, English‑language coverage is scheduled on FOX and FS1; Spanish‑language broadcasts on Telemundo and Universo. Live TV streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, Sling, or DirecTV Stream will work too. In Mexico, people can watch the World Cup for free on major TV channels like Televisa and TV Azteca.
No TV? No problem. You can watch online using FIFA+ and other streaming services that carry those Mexican or international Spanish‑language channels.
There will be an official World Cup 2026 music album, but FIFA has not clearly announced a separate album from the live ceremony and halftime performances yet. FIFA has already released an official 2026 World Cup album with studio tracks by various artists, including the tournament’s main songs and themes, and major platforms have multiple FIFA playlists.
So if you plan to watch World Cup games – or even if you are not – there is plenty of musical spectacle to keep you entertained, along with the “beautiful game”.
Patrick O’Heffernan
Banner: Cover of World Cup anthem “Illuminate” by Jessie Reyez and Elyanna. Source: YouTube
