Italy may be missing from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but Milan-based Balich Wonder Studio will leave its mark by directing interconnected opening ceremonies across all three host nations for the first time.
The studio has been selected by FIFA to oversee the opening event on June 11 at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium, with synchronized ceremonies the following day in Los Angeles and Toronto.
Balich Wonder Studio, part of Banijay Entertainment, previously delivered the ceremonies at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and has worked on 16 Olympic and Paralympic events, including this year's Winter Olympics in Italy.
'It will be a World Cup of firsts: three ceremonies in three different countries, 48 teams instead of 32, and the first time a creative studio handles both the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and a World Cup in the same year,' founder Marco Balich told Reuters.
The Mexico City ceremony begins at 11:30 a.m. local time. LA and Toronto follow the next day at 4:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., respectively.
Each event runs 30 minutes plus 15 minutes of protocol, performed in the local language, linked by a shared creative concept that reinterprets the tournament through local cultures.
'The challenge is effectively staging a single event across three locations,' Balich said. 'Creating the right energy while respecting each country's identity is extremely important.'
The shows will feature artists including Katy Perry, Alanis Morissette, Future, Anitta, Rema, Tyla, LISA, Michael Buble, and Shakira is expected to perform the official World Cup song.
A core team of about 30 people has worked for 18 months in Milan, alongside 300 staff in each host country-totaling roughly 900 workers.
The cost, covered by FIFA, has not been disclosed but Balich called it 'a significant investment.'
For Italy, absent for a third straight tournament, Balich's role ensures an Italian presence on football's biggest stage-this time behind the scenes.