Katy Perry helped launch the FIFA World Cup 2026 in spectacular fashion, delivering a high-energy performance during the tournament’s opening ceremony at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday night.
For the occasion, the pop superstar dazzled in a shimmering silver dress from Stella McCartney’s Fall/Winter 2026 Ready-to-Wear collection. The floor-length design featured a dramatic sculpted waist and was crafted from cascading metallic strands that resembled tinsel, evoking the glitz and glamour of Hollywood — fitting for the Los Angeles-hosted event.
Perry took to the stage to perform “Wonder,” a track from her 2024 album 143, setting an electrifying tone for the start of the world’s biggest soccer tournament.
Katy Perry dazzled in a shimmering silver ensemble as she helped kick off the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Los Angeles on Friday, as seen above.
For the occasion, Perry wore a shimmering silver dress from Stella McCartney’s Fall/Winter 2026 Ready-to-Wear collection, featuring strands of metallic fringe that may have been a playful nod to Hollywood’s nickname, Tinseltown.
But the pop superstar didn’t take the global stage alone.
Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony, Perry introduced fans to a special guest: Tius, a 10-year-old boy from Norway whose vocals are featured on her song “Wonder.”
In a TikTok video shared the day before the performance, Perry gave followers a glimpse of the young singer’s talent. “That little voice you’re listening to right now is Tius,” she wrote alongside the clip, which featured the youngster singing.
Perry performed “Wonder,” a track from her 2024 album 143.
The “Firework” singer shared the spotlight with Tius, a 10-year-old singer from Norway who joined her onstage for the performance. (Pictured above: Perry and Tius.)
Ahead of the event, Perry revealed the story behind their collaboration, explaining that Tius recorded his vocals for “Wonder” when he was just 5 years old in 2021.
“I heard his vocal in 2023 and was inspired to write the verses for ‘Wonder’ and include it on my sixth album,” Perry shared. “Tius is 10 now and flew all the way from Norway to Los Angeles to perform this song with me at the World Cup.”
Perry opened the star-studded performance, which also featured appearances by Tyla, Anitta and several other artists.
The Los Angeles celebration marked one of three opening ceremonies hosted across the FIFA World Cup 2026 host nations. Shakira headlined the festivities in Mexico City on Thursday, while Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé and other performers took the stage in Canada on Friday.
As the face of the United States’ opening ceremony, Perry also has a personal connection to Canada. The singer made headlines in December after publicly confirming her relationship with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
In a TikTok video posted Thursday, Perry revealed that Tius recorded his vocals for “Wonder” in 2021 when he was just 5 years old. She said his voice inspired her to expand the song, writing additional verses and ultimately including it on her sixth studio album, 143.
According to Perry, Tius “flew all the way to Los Angeles from Norway” to join her onstage for a special performance of “Wonder” at the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony.
While Perry has embraced a more understated style in recent years — particularly at high-profile public and political events — the pop superstar returned to her signature glamorous aesthetic for Friday night’s performance, dazzling in a shimmering silver ensemble.
Earlier this week, Perry and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made their red carpet debut together at the Tribeca Film Festival premiere of her new concert film, Katy Perry: The Lifetimes Tour – Live From Paris.
The couple, who have reportedly been dating for nearly a year, appeared affectionate throughout the event, posing arm-in-arm and sharing several sweet moments while celebrating the film’s debut.
As the World Cup gets underway, it remains to be seen which team the California-born singer will be cheering for during the tournament.
