The United States' FIFA World Cup 2026 clash against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night was not only a showcase of football but also one of the most star-studded events of the tournament so far.
Thousands of fans packed the stadium as sport, music and entertainment came together in a spectacular celebration ahead of the opening match. The high-profile encounter attracted an impressive lineup of celebrities from Hollywood, sports, politics and social media.
Among the notable attendees were Hollywood stars Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Cruise. Football legend David Beckham was also present, drawing loud cheers whenever he appeared on the stadium's giant screens.
An incredible performance at the @FIFAWorldCup 2026 opening ceremony in Los Angeles ??? pic.twitter.com/k6yI3wsnG8
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 13, 2026
The celebrity-packed crowd also included actress Anya Taylor-Joy, singer Katy Perry, former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, actress and singer Hilary Duff, and media personality Paris Hilton.
Southern California native Katy Perry was among the highlights of the evening, delivering an electrifying performance moments before the teams entered the pitch. Her appearance received thunderous applause from the home crowd and added a local touch to the historic occasion.
Earlier in the evening, rapper Future energized fans with a dynamic set, while several chart-topping artists helped build excitement ahead of the tournament's opening kickoff.
Sports fans also spotted basketball Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and NBA player Norman Powell in attendance. Meanwhile, actor Rob Lowe became an unexpected talking point on social media as cameras repeatedly showed him in the stands wearing a simple white T-shirt.
Adding a modern internet celebrity twist to the event was streaming sensation IShowSpeed, whose presence generated excitement among younger fans and led to numerous viral moments across social media platforms.
The blend of A-list actors, sports legends, political figures, entertainers and online personalities highlighted the World Cup's growing cultural influence and its ability to attract attention far beyond the football world.
Throughout the night, fans alternated between celebrating the action on the pitch and reacting to celebrity sightings on the giant video boards. As the United States thrilled the home crowd with a strong performance against Paraguay, the packed VIP sections offered another reminder of football's rising popularity in America.
For one night at SoFi Stadium, the FIFA World Cup delivered not only elite football but also one of the most glamorous gatherings of the tournament so far.
