FIFA Debuts World Cup Countdown Concert Series Featuring Major Lazer and Davido
FIFA has launched its official Countdown Concert series for the 2026 World Cup with a star-studded opening show in Los Angeles on June 10, featuring Major Lazer and Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Davido in a historic three-nation musical celebration linking the tournament’s co-host cities.
The high-energy event at Crypto.com Arena will serve as the U.S. leg of a synchronized 90-minute spectacular broadcast live across Los Angeles, Toronto and Mexico City. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT, with the global show beginning at 6:00 p.m. PT. Tickets go on sale today, Wednesday, June 3, at 10:00 a.m. PT via AXS and the Crypto.com Arena website.
The concert will stream free worldwide on the official FIFA World Cup TikTok account, with full on-demand replay available the following day on FIFA’s VuMe Live platform.
The production, created in partnership with the Recording Academy, weaves live performances from Crypto.com Arena with exclusive segments from Toronto’s Fort York Historical Site and The Bentway, as well as Mexico City. Additional special guests for the Los Angeles show will be announced in the coming days. The evening marks the cultural kick-off for the largest World Cup in history, which begins just one day later on June 11 across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
FIFA’s Chief Tournament Officer for the U.S., Manolo Zubiria, described the series as a celebration of “the passion, unity and cultural connections across three countries and around the world that define the FIFA World Cup 2026.” He added that the Los Angeles concert, staged in one of the world’s premier entertainment capitals, will deliver an unforgettable experience featuring top talent as the tournament prepares to welcome fans globally.
Davido’s appearance is particularly significant, as the 30BG leader has already contributed to two previous FIFA World Cup soundtracks and is reportedly collaborating with Major Lazer (led by Diplo) and Nelly Furtado on the upcoming track “No Place Like Home,” expected to feature on the Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Album. His performance underscores the growing global influence of Afrobeats and brings African music to the centre of the world’s biggest sporting event. Major Lazer brings its signature blend of dancehall, electronic and Caribbean sounds, well-suited to the 20,000-capacity arena crowd.
The initiative builds on FIFA’s long tradition of pairing football with major music moments, from classic tournament anthems to modern soundtracks that have launched global hits. This year’s Countdown series is the first to synchronise live shows across all three host nations, creating a unified cultural launchpad for the 2026 tournament.
Practical details for fans include standard bag policies at Crypto.com Arena (small clutches or wallets no larger than 5” x 9” x 1”; larger bags must use on-site Binbox lockers). General admission and premium tickets are available, with early arrival recommended for the full pre-show experience.Social media has already reacted strongly, with Nigerian fans and Afrobeats enthusiasts celebrating Davido’s booking as a landmark moment for the genre. The crossover appeal is clear: the concert is not only a musical event but a bridge between football, culture and the three host nations as the countdown to kick-off begins in earnest.
With the World Cup opening matches just days away, the June 10 concert is positioned as the ultimate pre-tournament celebration, uniting music and sport on a global stage. More artist announcements are expected soon for the Los Angeles show and its sister events in Toronto and Mexico City.
