Derek Hough Set to Perform at FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Opening Ceremony
LOS ANGELES / ZURICH – July 20, 2025 — In a groundbreaking blend of sport and entertainment, Emmy Award-winning choreographer and “Dancing with the Stars” judge Derek Hough has been officially announced as the headline performer for the opening ceremony of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, set to take place at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles this summer.
This marks the first time a professional dancer and choreographer will lead a solo artistic performance at the prestigious football tournament’s curtain-raiser, highlighting FIFA’s intent to globalize the spectacle and embrace the cultural tapestry of its expanded 32-team format.
Hough, known for his electrifying stage presence and creative storytelling through movement, will debut an original dance number titled “Unity in Motion,” featuring a fusion of contemporary, hip-hop, Latin, and traditional dance elements from participating countries. The performance is expected to involve over 100 dancers and visual effects designed to celebrate the universality of football.
> “This is more than a performance—this is a celebration of the world coming together through sport and art,” said Hough in a statement. “I’m honored to be a part of such a historic global moment.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino commented, “Football is the world’s game, but the opening ceremony is our chance to show how it connects us beyond the pitch. Derek Hough’s artistry embodies the spirit of unity we hope to promote with this new era of the Club World Cup.”
The opening ceremony will be held just before the first match on June 15, 2025, and will be broadcast to over 180 countries.
More information about the ceremony’s lineup and special guest appearances is expected in the coming weeks.
