World Cup 2026 USA opening ceremony LIVE: Katy Perry and Future to perform but Donald Trump snubs first game | OneFootball

The USA’s World Cup 2026 will be kicked off in spectacular fashion following performances from Katy Perry and Future as the tournament co-hosts play Paraguay in their opening match of the tournament in Los Angeles.

Pop star Perry will be headlined the opening show in California, bringing down the curtain on the festivities after Shakira performance in Mexico City and Michael Buble and Alanis Morissette took to the stage before Canada’s first match.

The USA, managed by former Tottenham and Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, will be expected to advance from a group that features tonight’s opponents Paraguay as well as Australia and Turkey, with an eye on progressing further too.

President Donald Trump will be notable by his absence at the SoFi Stadium, ahead of his 80th birthday celebrations in Washington this weekend, while empty seats and the World Cup’s mandatory drinks breaks have been controversial aspects of the tournament so far.

Follow live updates from the USA’s opening ceremony and the Paraguay match, below

Team news

Chris Richards is the main concern for Pochettino, with the Crystal Palace defender having only recently returned to training following an ankle injury.

Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun are expected to headline the attack.

Paraguay’s Julio Enciso picked up a quad issue in a 4-0 friendly win over Nicaragua but is expected to recover in time to feature.

Will Castle12 June 2026 22:31

Why won't Donald Trump be at the game?

Donald Trump will be absent from the Los Angeles Stadium when USA begin their 2026 World Cup against Paraguay tonight, it has been confirmed.

State figureheads usually appear at their country’s first match of the tournament and Trump was expected to be in the stands. Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attended Qatar’s opening game against Ecuador in 2022, and Vladimir Putin watched Russia’s first game of the 2018 World Cup against Saudi Arabia in Moscow.

But the US president will not attend instead leaving secretary of state Mark Rubio to travel from Washington with transport secretary Sean Duffy and secretary of homeland security Markwayne Mullin.

Andrew Giuliani, the World Cup task force’s CEO, has confirmed Trump’s plans. “He’s not going to end up attending the opening game,” Giuliani told TalkSport. “As we’ve said, his scheduling is tight. But I know he’s going to be engaged throughout this World Cup.

“But the one thing, having known President Trump for now 30 years, what I can tell you is: expect the unexpected. Always expect a cliffhanger with him. Throughout the course of this tournament, it wouldn’t surprise me if we see him engage more and more with the World Cup.”

Full story:

Canada get World Cup lift-off after late Larin equaliser

With the US still to come, Canada are off the mark!

Co-hosts Canada have World Cup 2026 lift-off after hitting back against Bosnia and Herzogovina in a hard-fought 1-1 draw in Toronto.

Following a star-studded opening ceremony, including Michael Buble and Alanis Morissette, Jesse Marsch’s side fell behind thanks to a first-half header from Jovo Lukic.

But Cyle Larin came off the bench to equalise with a fantastic half-volley in the latter stages before late pressure almost forced a famous comeback victory.

(Getty)

Will Castle12 June 2026 22:09

After decades trying to win the World Cup, shouldn’t the USA be better at football by now?

Before the 1994 World Cup, the American columnist Tom Weir wrote a withering assessment of the sport his country was about to host. “Hating soccer,” he said in USA Today, “is more American than mom’s apple pie, driving a pick-up or spending Saturday afternoon channel-surfing with the remote control.”

Not everyone shared Weir’s disdain, given record attendances at USA ‘94. But even today there remains a lingering perspective, mainly among conservative men of a certain age, that soccer is a sport for girls and sissy boys who dive to the floor on first contact, whereas real American sports involve tough guys running, jumping or, in Nascar’s case, driving into one another.

It is a tired old trope that you don’t tend to find around the rest of the world, and it begins to explain America’s challenge in building a men’s team to match their women and win the World Cup.

After decades trying to win the World Cup, why aren’t USA any better at football?

USA are four-time champions in the women’s game but as the 2026 tournament begins on home soil, are they any closer to winning the men’s World Cup?

Lawrence Ostlere in Los Angeles12 June 2026 22:01

Will we get another Diana Ross moment?

The US has a history of memorable moments when it comes to World Cup opening ceremonies, with Diana Ross's missed penalty ahead of the 1994 World Cup in Chicago going down in hilarious infamy.

Will Katy Perry top this, maybe by leathering one into the back of a steward? Probably not, but a man can dream.

Will Castle12 June 2026 21:51

Who is performing?

International pop star Katy Perry will headline in her home state, joined by rapper Future.

Tyla will also appear at her second ceremony having performed across the border in Mexico, along with Thai-born star Lisa from K-pop band Blackpink, Nigerian artist Rema and Brazilian singer Anitta.

Katy Perry headlines the third and final opening ceremony in the United States (AFP/Getty)

Will Castle12 June 2026 21:41

How can I watch the opening ceremony and USA vs Paraguay?

Viewers in the UK can watch the game for free on BBC One or stream it live on BBC iPlayer.

Viewers in the US can watch the game on FOX and Tubi, while a Spanish-language broadcast will be available on Telemundo.

Will Castle12 June 2026 21:36

When is the USA's opening ceremony?

The United States will put on the third and final World Cup opening ceremony tonight, hoping to upstage Canada and Mexico by saving the best ‘til last.

It will get starts 12:30am BST on Saturday 13 June (i.e. tonight) at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles - the newest stadium being used at this summer’s tournament.

Will Castle12 June 2026 21:31

World Cup 2026 USA opening ceremony LIVE!

The USA’s World Cup 2026 will be kicked off in spectacular fashion following performances from Katy Perry and Future as the tournament co-hosts play Paraguay in their opening match of the tournament in Los Angeles.

Pop star Perry will be headlined the opening show in California, bringing down the curtain on the festivities after Shakira performance in Mexico City and Michael Buble and Alanis Morissette took to the stage before Canada’s first match.

The USA, managed by former Tottenham and Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, will be expected to advance from a group that features tonight’s opponents Paraguay as well as Australia and Turkey, with an eye on progressing further too.

President Donald Trump will be notable by his absence at the SoFi Stadium, ahead of his 80th birthday celebrations in Washington this weekend, while empty seats and the World Cup’s mandatory drinks breaks have been controversial aspects of the tournament so far.

Katy Perry and Future (Getty)