Perry & Buble among performers at three World Cup opening ceremonies

Breaking news from the world of sport: Fifa announces three World Cup opening ceremoniesImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Katy Perry will headline the opening ceremony in Los Angeles and Michael Buble will perform before Canada's first match in TorontoByFlora SnelsonBBC Sport journalistPublished19 minutes agoKaty Perry, Michael Buble and Alanis Morissette are among the artists who will perform at three World Cup opening ceremonies this summer. Ceremonies will precede each of the first matches played in the host nations of USA, Canada and Mexico. Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin and South African singer-songwriter Tyla will perform at the first ceremony on Thursday, 11 June at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, before Mexico and South Africa play the first of the tournament's 104 games.

The next day, Canadian singer-songwriters Buble and Morisette will headline the opening ceremony at BMO Field in Toronto before the hosts take on Bosnia and Herzegovina. And in the USA, pop star Perry and rapper Future will perform before the USA take on Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on 12 June. "The Fifa World Cup is a moment the world shares, and that begins with how we open it," said Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

"Starting with Mexico City and continuing the next days with Toronto and Los Angeles, these ceremonies will bring together music, culture and football in a way that reflects both the individuality of each nation and the unity that defines this tournament. "It is a powerful way to begin a truly global celebration. "Earlier this week, Colombian pop star Shakira teased her official song for the tournament, which features Nigerian singer Burna Boy.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.