Country music duo Dan + Shay will perform the U.S. national anthem during the opening ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup [1].

The performance serves as a centerpiece of the tournament's launch, setting the emotional tone for the host nation's first match on home soil. This tradition highlights the intersection of American popular culture and global sports during one of the world's most-watched events [5].

The ceremony takes place this Friday, June 13, 2026, at Los Angeles Stadium, also known as SoFi Stadium, in Inglewood, California [1, 2]. The event precedes the opening match between the United States and Paraguay [1, 3].

While Dan + Shay represent the U.S., the Paraguayan national anthem will be performed by Purahei Soul [3]. Both performances are integrated into the broader opening ceremony designed to welcome international fans, and athletes to the tournament [5].

The selection of a country duo for the anthem reflects a specific cultural branding for the host nation's introduction to the global audience. By pairing a contemporary American act with Purahei Soul, organizers are balancing the spectacle of the U.S. host city with the national identity of the visiting team [3, 5].

Los Angeles Stadium has been designated as the venue for this specific encounter, ensuring a high-capacity crowd for the start of the competition [1, 2]. The anthems are the final formal proceedings before the players take the pitch for the opening whistle [1].

“Dan + Shay will perform the U.S. national anthem during the opening ceremony.”

The choice of Dan + Shay for the opening ceremony signals a desire to project a specific image of American heritage and mainstream appeal to a global viewership. By utilizing SoFi Stadium, one of the most technologically advanced venues in the world, the organizers are leveraging both musical and architectural prestige to establish the 2026 tournament's scale and ambition.