World Cup opens in Los Angeles with ceremony before US-Paraguay
The US hosted its World Cup opening event at Los Angeles Stadium, with performers, celebrities and the home team’s opener against Paraguay.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
2 min read
The United States staged its World Cup opening ceremony in Los Angeles before the national team began its tournament against Paraguay, AFP reported. The event marked the third host-nation launch of the 2026 tournament, after Mexico and Canada held separate ceremonies for their first matches.
At SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, which is being called Los Angeles Stadium during the tournament, giant screens showed the Hollywood sign as a voice welcomed spectators to the country, according to AFP. A marching band opened the entertainment before singers Future, Tyla, Anitta and Lisa joined the show.
AFP reported that the production drew on Los Angeles imagery, with costumes and props meant to reflect the city’s street art and creative industries. Performers danced around a large World Cup trophy set up on the pitch.
Actor Jason Sudeikis and singer Katy Perry were scheduled to appear shortly before kickoff, AFP reported. The crowd also included several well-known figures, among them Tom Cruise, David Beckham, Halle Berry, Rob Lowe, Owen Wilson and Paris Hilton.
Large “FIFA” letters hung from the stadium roof in gold, which AFP described as a color favored by US President Donald Trump. Trump did not attend the match, but AFP reported that he spoke to the US team by phone and wished the players luck, telling them he thought they had “a really good chance of going all the way.”
Supporters for both teams filled the stadium, according to AFP. Many US fans wore costumes linked to national symbols, including Uncle Sam, the Statue of Liberty and bald eagles, and booed Paraguay players when they came out for warm-ups.
US supporter Isaac Pizarro told AFP he believed the team could reach the end of the tournament. He said he paid $1,900 per ticket to attend with his 14-year-old son, Jacob.
Paraguay also had visible backing in the stands, AFP reported, with dozens of national flags among the red, white and blue worn by supporters of both countries. Before the match, US centre-back Chris Richards was named in the starting lineup after injury concerns, while Paraguay winger Julio Enciso also started.
The Los Angeles match followed earlier games involving the other two cohosts, according to AFP. Mexico beat South Africa 2-0, while Canada drew 1-1 with Bosnia-Herzegovina to earn its first point at a World Cup finals.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.