The first performers for Toronto’s first World Cup opening ceremony are here.
Although FIFA’s president said Drake performing at this year’s World Cup was a “good idea,” organizers for the major sports event have made their choice — they’ve reportedly tapped Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé and Alessia Cara to take the stage on June 12 in Toronto, as reported by The Athletic.
The trio of Canadian artists will perform at the first of six matches that are taking place in the city. Bosnia and Herzegovina will be facing off at the inaugural Toronto Stadium (a.k.a. BMO Field) match in the country’s first group stage match.
advertisement
While the city has previously hosted games at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, the FIFA U-20 World Cup and the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, Toronto Stadium is the first Canadian ground to host a FIFA World Cup game.
According to the international sports federation, Canada will host one of three opening ceremonies, the other two being held in the U.S. and Mexico.
That same day, Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium will celebrate the kick-off game between the U.S. and Paraguay. Honourary Canadian Katy Perry will headline the ceremony, while rapper Future, DJ Sanjoy, Blackpink’s Lisa and Paraguayan singer Marilina Bogado are additionally slated to perform.
Over in Mexico, they’re celebrating a day earlier at Estadio Azteca. As the Latin American country plays against South Africa, Mexican rock band Mana, pop artist Alejandro Fernandez, singer Belinda, traditional Mexican cumbia group Los Angeles Azules and South African act Tyla will take the stage during the opening ceremony.
Last month, Belinda and Los Angeles Azules teamed up on “Por Ella,” one of the official songs for the FIFA World Cup. It’s the perfect moment for them to bring their collaboration to the stage, celebrating a fusion of music and culture.
advertisement
Celebrating music on the global stage, FIFA organizers have tapped multiple international acts that will perform across the three ceremonies. Among the homegrown acts are R&B singer Jessie Reyez, global performer Nora Fatehi and Indigenous folk singer-songwriter William Prince.
Across the trio of events, the Canadian artists will share the stage with J Balvin, Anitta, Venezuelan singer Danny Ocean, Palestinian-Chilean act Elyanna and French artist Vegedream.
The federation has already confirmed that Reyez and Elyanna will perform their genre-blending FIFA World Cup track “Illuminate”— produced by recent Grammy winner Cirkut — during the ceremony.
In addition, the report claims that FIFA has signed several other performers to perform throughout the multi-day tournament, with details to be announced in the coming weeks.
While it’s no Drake, time will tell if the Iceman makes an appearance at the World Cup.
After Canada's opening match, four further group games will be played in Toronto, featuring Ghana, Panama, Germany, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia and Senegal.
