Timings and Channel Guide to Watch Tonight’s Canada and US FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremonies in GCC Countries

FIFA World Cup 2026 has kicked off, but this year it’s a three-part opening ceremony hosted by three different countries in a unique way. Mexico City was the first city to celebrate outburst this year on June 11, so now football fans in GCC countries are getting ready for the Canada and the United States celebrations this evening, and early Saturday morning.

Known for its distinctive way of presenting themselves, the format has garnered huge attention across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman, as scores of millions look up for local showtimes, streaming options and schedules for the event. It’s time to know what is going on before kickoff.

A Historic Three-Part Opening Ceremony

Unlike the last World Cup, the 2026 World Cup will be initially played in 3 different games each representing a host country.

The inaugural ceremony took place at the stadium at Mexico City’s famous Estadio Azteca prior to Mexico’s opening game against South Africa. The celebrations will go on today in Toronto and before Canada’s first match, and in Los Angeles, where the final ceremony is taking place ahead of the United States starting in another match.

A distinctive trilogy format, this series honors the joint hosting duties of Mexico, Canada and the United States and provides each of them with a mirror on the world.

Canada Opening Ceremony: GCC Timings

The second kick-off of the World Cup since the Championship began in 1970 will be at BMO Field in Toronto. Check the table tabulated below for the Kick-off Time for various GCC viewers.

Canadian music legends Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette will headline the show. Palestinian singer Elyanna’s performance is particularly anticipated by people from the Middle East as it has created great buzz on social media in the region.

USA Opening Ceremony: GCC Timings

The final opening ceremony will be at SoFi Stadium in Los Ranchitos of Los Angeles to kick off the United States vs Paraguay match. Check the table tabulated below for the Kick-off Time for various GCC viewers.

It’s an event inspired by Hollywood where superstars Katy Perry, Lisa and Nigerian star Rema will be performing creating a mind-blowing finale for the initial World Cup celebrations.

Where to Watch the FIFA World Cup in GCC Countries?

The entire opening ceremony and all FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification matches will be broadcast over beIN SPORTS, the exclusive broadcast partner for the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region.

beIN SPORTS MAX Channels

TOD by beIN

• 24/7 live soccer with a focus on the World Cup tournament.
• Two-device simultaneous streaming
• Compatible with Smart TVs, Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast, Tablets & Smartphones

beIN CONNECT

• Available to existing beIN satellite subscribers.
• Access to live streaming at multiple locations/mobile devices.

Final Thoughts

FIFA World Cup 2026 is breaking new ground, whether on or off the field. The innovative 3-part opening ceremony merges music, culture, and football in an unprecedented way to give the GCC viewers a chance to witness the event’s grand celebration on more than one occasion.

FAQs

What time will the USA be opening in the GCC countries?

The USA opening will be aired in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain at 3.00AM on Saturday with UAE and Oman hosting the show at 4.00AM on Saturday.

Where will the performances of the opening ceremony be broadcast?

The ceremonies will be streamed live on beIN SPORTS MAX channels and the high-definition feed on beIN SPORTS 4K HDR.

Who will be performing at the ceremony?

Michael Bublé, Palestinian native Elyanna, and Alanis Morissette will perform at the Toronto ceremony and Katy Perry, LISA and Rema will perform at the Los Angeles ceremony.

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