The 2026 FIFA World Cup is almost here, and the tournament is set to kick off in truly spectacular fashion, not with one opening ceremony, but three.

For the first time in the competition’s history, the host nations will each stage their own individual celebrations before the action gets underway. Mexico, Canada, and the United States are co-hosting the tournament, and all three countries will put their own cultural stamp on proceedings with star-studded, nation-defining events in some of the biggest stadiums ever seen at a World Cup.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has set the tone for what fans can expect:

As reported by Time, connecting all three events will be a shared creative thread that reimagines the iconic World Cup trophy through each host nation’s cultural lens. A neat concept that ties the celebrations together while allowing each country to express its own identity.

With 48 nations competing across 104 matches, the World Cup is already the biggest sporting event on the planet. Factor in three opening ceremonies, and the entertainment value goes off the charts. Here’s everything you need to know about each one.

Mexico Opening Ceremony

The tournament officially begins in Mexico City on the 11th of June, with the first opening ceremony and match, as Mexico take on South Africa at the Estadio Azteca. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has promised a “historic” and “exceptional” event.

The ceremony is expected to be a full-throated celebration of Latin American culture, with FIFA describing the concept as being brought to life through the art of “papel picado,” the traditional Mexican craft of cutting intricate designs from tissue paper.

The performers more than live up to that billing. Rock legends Mana, one of the best-selling Latin music acts of all time, will take to the stage and has called the tournament the “event of the century” for Mexicans. “Music has the power to bring us all together, no matter where we’re from, and we’re proud to be a part of that celebration,” the band said when confirming their involvement.

Ranchera icon Alejandro Fernandez also features, describing it as a “great honour” to represent “Mexican music to the world.” Colombian reggaeton superstar J Balvin, who features on Coca-Cola’s official 2026 World Cup anthem “JUMP,” adds further star power, as does an eclectic supporting cast including Belinda, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, Los Angeles Azules, and South African singer Tyla.

Canada Opening Ceremony

Canada has never hosted the World Cup, until now, and they’ll take centre stage for the second opening ceremony on the 12th of June, with Toronto Stadium playing host to a lineup that combines homegrown heroes with global names.

For Canada’s celebration, the World Cup trophy will be reimagined “as a mosaic, symbolising the people, cultures and communities that define the country,” according to FIFA, an apt metaphor for one of the world’s most diverse nations. Infantino has already teased the Toronto event as “a powerful reflection of Canada’s identity,” and Prime Minister Mark Carney has made clear that the country “is ready to welcome the world.”

Leading the musical charge is none other than Michael Buble, the Vancouver-born singer who said he “can’t wait to celebrate with fans from around the world.” Toronto-born Jessie Reyez will also perform, joining Palestinian singer Elyanna. The pair have collaborated on “Illuminate,” a track featured on the official World Cup album.

Nora Fatehi, who performed at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, returns to the international stage. Rounding out the Canadian contingent are beloved names Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, and William Prince, while Bangladeshi-American DJ Sanjoy and French singer-songwriter Vegedream add further international flavour.

United States Opening Ceremony

The United States closes out the opening ceremony trio in style, with SoFi Stadium, the home of the Los Angeles Rams, hosting the event just six hours after Canada’s.

California’s own Katy Perry headlines, and will be joined by rapper Future and Tyla will return from Mexico to perform one more ceremony. Thai-born global pop star LISA, fresh from her success with K-pop group BLACKPINK, is also on the bill alongside Brazilian hitmaker Anitta and Nigerian superstar Rema, who’ve combined to make World Cup album track “Goals.”

Infantino’s words about the US ceremony capture its ambition:

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has asked that “every Angeleno be part of this historic moment,” with the city’s “Kick It In the Park” initiative organising free watch parties, youth soccer clinics, and community celebrations across Los Angeles.

The US last hosted the World Cup in 1994, and they’ll be hoping to put on a better show than what Dianna Ross did, when part of her performance required her to score a penalty that ultimately went wide.

The World Cup Golden Glove, known as the Lev Yashin Award between 1994 and 2006, is handed out to the best goalkeeper of each tournament. The award takes its original name from the legendary flat cap-wearing Soviet stopper, widely regarded as the greatest goalkeeper to have ever lived.

From the 2010 World Cup onwards, FIFA rebranded the honour as the Golden Glove, bringing it in line with the tournament’s other individual awards, the Golden Ball for best overall player, and the Golden Boot for the top scorer. The change of name did nothing to diminish the prestige of the award, which remains one of the most coveted individual honours a goalkeeper can receive on the international stage.

Since its inception, it’s been won by some of the most celebrated goalkeepers of their respective generations, each producing tournament performances that have lived long in the memory. Whether commanding their area, organising their defence, or producing match-winning saves at crucial moments, every winner has left their mark on their World Cup.

Here is every recipient, along with what made their tournament so special:

8

1994 – Michel Preud’homme (Belgium)

Michel Preud’homme was the standout goalkeeper of USA ’94, producing a series of commanding displays for Belgium. The Mechelen shot-stopper was particularly brilliant in the group stage, making crucial saves that kept Belgium competitive in a tough group that included the Netherlands, a side they beat 1-0.

Though his side were knocked out by Germany in the round of 16, Preud’homme’s performances were essential in keeping that match and others competitive for his country and was rewarded with the inaugural Lev Yashin Award.

7

1998 – Fabien Barthez (France)

Fabien Barthez was the last line of a French defence that was the backbone of their home World Cup triumph in 1998. Barthez was as charismatic as he was agile, and kept clean sheets throughout much of the tournament as France marched to glory.

His shot-stopping and commanding presence in the penalty area gave the French backline enormous assurance. While Zinedine Zidane may have grabbed the headlines with his two final headers against Brazil, Barthez’s contribution to France’s title win was equally vital, and the Lev Yashin Award was fitting recognition for a goalkeeper at the very top of his game.

6

2002 — Oliver Kahn (Germany)

Oliver Kahn was an all-out shot-stopper for 20 years. He was a colossus for Germany throughout the 2002 World Cup, making save after save to drag his side all the way to the final.

His shot-stopping was utterly fearless, and he single-handedly kept Germany in matches that could easily have gone the other way. Time and again he stood firm when those in front of him couldn’t, producing a tournament that will live long in goalkeeping folklore. Such was the scale of his dominance between the sticks, voters went even further than the Lev Yashin Award, also naming him the best player of the entire tournament, making him the first and only goalkeeper in history to win the Golden Ball.

5

2006 – Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)

Gianluigi Buffon was at the heart of one of the greatest defensive performances in World Cup history as Italy lifted the trophy in Germany.

The Juventus goalkeeper conceded just two goals in the entire tournament. That itself is impressive, but when you realise that one was an own goal, and the other Zinedine Zidane’s Panenka penalty in the final, it makes you do a double take. His commanding displays against Australia, Ukraine, and Germany in the knockout rounds were particularly impressive. Having a backline fronted by Fabio Cannavaro helps, but Buffon had to do the work, and was the obvious choice for the Lev Yashin Award at the end of the tournament.

4

2010 – Iker Casillas (Spain)

Iker Casillas made a career out of impossible saves and clean sheets. He was the captain and the heartbeat of Spain’s historic 2010 World Cup triumph, their first-ever. The Real Madrid legend made several decisive saves throughout the latter stages of the tournament.

In the semi-final, he saved a penalty that kept the match at 0-0 against Paraguay, then in the final stared down Arjen Robben one-on-one twice, and won both times. Spain’s style of play under Vicente del Bosque relied on keeping the ball, but when they needed their goalkeeper, Casillas delivered every time. He lifted the trophy as captain, and the Golden Glove was just one of several honours he collected in what was the peak year of an extraordinary international career that lasted 167 matches.

3

2014 – Manuel Neuer (Germany)

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – JULY 13: Manuel Neuer of Germany lifts the World Cup trophy with teammates after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Manuel Neuer’s 2014 World Cup performances did as much as anyone to popularise the concept of the sweeper-keeper. The Bayern Munich goalkeeper operated almost as an auxiliary defender, regularly coming far off his line to intercept through balls and engage attackers one-on-one.

His range of passing and comfort with the ball at his feet were unlike anything previously seen at a World Cup from a goalkeeper. Germany won the tournament, and Neuer was an integral reason why. The Golden Glove recognised not just his elite shot-stopping, but an entirely new way of playing the position that’s influenced goalkeeping ever since.

2

2018 – Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)

Despite Luka Modric taking home the Golden Ball award, Thibaut Courtois was among the best players at the 2018 World Cup in any position.

The then-Chelsea goalkeeper was outstanding as Belgium reached the semi-finals, producing a string of world-class saves that repeatedly kept his side in matches. His performance against Brazil in the quarter-final, in which he single-handedly denied one of the tournament’s most attacking sides, was one of the greatest individual displays of goalkeeping in World Cup history. Belgium were ultimately eliminated by winners France, but Courtois had given everything. The Golden Glove was the least he deserved for a tournament that announced him as the best goalkeeper on the planet.

1

2022 – Emiliano Martinez (Argentina)

Emiliano Martinez played a starring role in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, and not just through conventional goalkeeping.

His shot-stopping throughout the tournament was excellent, especially when he denied Randall Kolo-Muani in the closing seconds of extra-time in the final, but it was his psychological impact in penalty shootouts that set him apart. Against the Netherlands in the quarter-final and France in the final, Martinez was theatrical, provocative, and utterly brilliant in saving crucial penalties and getting inside opponents’ heads. Argentina won the World Cup, and Martínez was awarded the Golden Glove, although what he did with the trophy is a rather forgettable image.

Following on from his claims about being banned from the UFC Freedom 250 event, set to be held at the White House, Sean Strickland has gone all out in his own polarising way.

The controversial American has posted about being banned from the UFC event on the 14th of June, and instead of seeking any sort of forgiveness, has further pushed the boat out.

The UFC middleweight champion released a video on X saying he had been banned from attending the event due in part to his outspoken views on President Donald Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict, as well as his associations with Jeffrey Epstein and the Israeli government.

Strickland last entered the Octagon in May, when he took the middleweight title off of Khamzat Chimaev, so it would have been very unlikely that he would fight again at this event. Despite that, Dana White and the rest of the UFC hierarchy have made it clear to the 35-year-old that he is not welcome to attend UFC White House.

It seems that Tarzan hasn’t taken the news particularly well, as he has jumped on social media to double down on his opinions.

Sean Strickland’s Reaction to Being Banned From White House

The veteran has never been afraid to speak his mind, and is known as a loose cannon, which helps explain why he has been told to stay away from what is already looking like a controversial event.

Only hours after releasing a video in which he explains why he has been blacklisted from Washington DC, he posted an AI image of himself wearing his usual fighting gear, as well as a fedora, a large trench coat, as well as sporting payots, in an attempt to look Jewish.

Strickland posted a caption on the AI-generated image saying: “Going to the White House was promised to me 3,000 years ago.”

The reference is seen as an anti-Semitic slur regarding the Torah teachings where God promised the land of Israel to the Jewish people 3,000 years ago.

Sean Strickland Gets Into War of Words With Justin Gaethje

The controversial UFC fighter didn’t stop there, though. He has been very active on X giving his opinions on the matter, and has even begun feuding with other fighters, such as Justin Gaethje, on the platform.

Strickland has always been a controversial figure, and this latest episode doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone.

Before last month’s win over Chimaev at UFC 328, the veteran called his Russian opponent a ‘terrorist’, while in January, before his bout against Anthony Hernandez, he posted an AI-generated image of himself as a US immigration officer and Hernandez, who is, like Strickland, a California native, in a sombrero and poncho.