Bryan Adams, Andrea Bocelli help kick off countdown to FIFA World Cup

Canadian rocker led the way in Toronto performing two songs at Fort York and The Bentway

Published Jun 10, 2026  •  Last updated 10 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

Canadian rocker Bryan Adams helped kick off the FIFA World Cup during the countdown concert Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in Toronto. Photo by Courtesy of Bryan Adams

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It’s official.

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off Wednesday night with three simultaneous and televised countdown concerts in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico that were collectively called the FIFA Countdown Concert.

Andrea Bocelli, in a dashing blue blazer and sunglasses, set the bar high in Mexico City with his dramatic opening song Nelle tue mani (Now We are Free) from Gladiator while accompanied by an orchestra and choir as images of soccer players in action played on large screens behind him.

Giving it his best shot in Toronto was veteran Can-rock act Bryan Adams, wearing a black Adidas track suit, in front of thousands of fans as he sang Roll with the Punches from his 2025 album of the same name and classic crowd-pleaser Summer of ‘69 (spurring a fan singalong) at Fort York and the Bentway, the site of the FIFA Fan Festival.

“Let the games begin!’ yelled Adams at the end of his two-song set.

Art of the FIFA World Cup fan festival planned in Toronto. Photo by Handout /City of Toronto

‘Unreal’ atmosphere in Toronto

“Oh, look at that iconic Toronto skyline!” added Toronto host Marissa Roberto before images of the CN Tower, the aquarium and Kensington Market were shown in a montage video of the city.

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“We’re here in Toronto where the atmosphere is unreal right now,” said Roberto.

“Can you feel it? This is a historic night for Canada as we’re hosting our first ever men’s FIFA World Cup matches.”

Also performing in Toronto were Nora Fatehi, DJ Sanjoy and Vegedream, while still scheduled to come in T.O. were The Beaches, Wyclef Jean and AHI.

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Meanwhile in Los Angeles, Afro-beat singer-songwriter Davido kicked things off from that end with a medley of Fall, Unavailable and With You. Next up in Mexico City were Los Ángeles Azules with Belinda for their songs Por Ella and Amor A Primera Vista with Elena Rose still in the performing cue.

Major Lazer, Ava Max and BIA were scheduled to later perform in L.A.

The first-of-its-kind live music event heralded the first 2026 FIFA World Cup match on Thursday at 3 p.m. between Mexico and South Africa, who will go head to head in Mexico City.

Canada begins its quest for the cup on Friday against Bosnia and Herzegovina at 3 p.m. at BMO Field.

We’ve heard the beautiful music. Now let’s watch the beautiful game.

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