A marching band struck up the music before being joined by singers including Future, Tyla, Anitta and K-pop star Lisa. Costumes and props were designed to evoke Los Angeles street art and the city’s creative industries.
Actor Jason Sudeikis and singer Katy Perry were due to perform shortly before kickoff.
Celebrities including Tom Cruise, David Beckham, Halle Berry, Rob Lowe, Owen Wilson and Paris Hilton looked on as performers danced around a giant World Cup trophy in the middle of the pitch.
Suspended from the roof of the space-age 70,000 stadium were enormous “FIFA” letters in the gold favored by US President Donald Trump — who did not attend.
He instead spoke to the team via phone, telling them, “I think you’ve a really good chance of going all the way. I just want to wish you a lot of luck.”
US fans, many dressed as Uncle Sam, the Statue of Liberty or bald eagles, gamely booed the Paraguay players as they appeared for their warm-ups.
“I believe we can go all the way,” said US fan Isaac Pizarro, who paid $1,900 per ticket to attend with his 14-year-old son Jacob.
But South American support showed up in force too, with dozens of Paraguay flags visible among a sea of red, white and blue sported by both nations.
US centre-back Chris Richards overcame injury doubt to be named in the starting XI — as did dangerous Paraguay winger Julio Enciso.
Fellow co-hosts Mexico and Canada have already played their first matches, each featuring a separate opening ceremony on home soil.
Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0, while Canada came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw and their first ever World Cup finals point, against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The United States is playing the central role in the competition, hosting 78 of the tournament’s 104 matches, including every fixture from the quarter-finals onwards.
Eleven American cities have been selected as host venues, including Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Boston, Dallas and the San Francisco Bay Area.
The tournament will culminate on July 19, 2026, when the World Cup final is played at New York New Jersey Stadium, commonly known as MetLife Stadium.
With the competition now underway, fans across the United States are preparing for a busy schedule of group-stage fixtures.
On June 13, Qatar face Switzerland in the San Francisco Bay Area, while Brazil take on Morocco at New York New Jersey Stadium. Haiti and Scotland will also meet in Boston later the same day.
The action continues on June 14 with Germany facing Curaçao in Houston, the Netherlands taking on Japan in Dallas, and Ivory Coast meeting Ecuador in Philadelphia.
The expanded format is expected to attract record attendances and global television audiences, with organisers hoping the tournament will further boost football’s popularity across North America.
As teams begin their quest for football’s biggest prize, the month-long spectacle promises high-profile clashes, packed stadiums and a historic chapter in World Cup history.
