Toronto Hosts Second World Cup Opening Ceremony Amidst Fan Criticism and Empty Seats
Published June 12, 2026
Toronto marked Canada's entry into the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a second opening ceremony, headlined by Nora Fatehi, ahead of the co-hosts' match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, though the event faced some fan disapproval and noticeable empty seats.
Published — local time around the world
The 2026 FIFA World Cup continued its early festivities with a second opening ceremony held in Toronto, Canada, as the co-host nation prepared for its inaugural match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The event, which took place on Friday, June 13th, showcased a variety of musical talents, with Bollywood star and dancer Nora Fatehi taking center stage to perform the official World Cup anthem, 'Siir Siir'.
Canada, making history as a FIFA World Cup host for the first time, saw its team kick off their highly anticipated campaign in Group B. Bosnia and Herzegovina earned their spot in the tournament after overcoming European powerhouse Italy in the qualifiers, setting the stage for an intriguing encounter. The pre-match entertainment in Toronto Stadium also featured performances from artists such as Vegedream, Sanjoy, Jessie Reyez, Alessia Cara, and Palestinian artist Elyanna.
Despite the star-studded lineup, the ceremony and the atmosphere in Toronto garnered mixed reactions. Reports indicated that a noticeable number of empty seats were visible within the stadium, drawing a contrast to the packed Aztec Stadium in Mexico City where another tournament event had taken place. Furthermore, some fans reportedly voiced their disappointment on social media, questioning FIFA's decision for a second opening ceremony and finding the overall spectacle less engaging than anticipated.