Star-studded Lineup Announced for 2026 World Cup Finale
WHO:
Complex - Tom Cruise, IShowSpeed, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, Jennifer Hudson, Heimo Schirgi (FIFA World Cup 2026 Chief Operating Officer), President Trump.
NBC New York - Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi, Harry Kane (players vying for spots in the tournament final).
WHAT:
NBC New York - The World Cup final will feature the first-ever halftime show, which includes performances from Justin Bieber, BTS, Shakira, and Madonna.
Yahoo Sports - IShowSpeed will perform his song "World Cup (Champions)" during the closing ceremony, which has garnered 89 million views since its release.
Yahoo Sports - Fans are encouraged to enter the stadium starting at 11 a.m. ET to enjoy additional pre-match entertainment.
Complex - The closing ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature performances from various artists and a special appearance by Tom Cruise.
NBC New York - The closing ceremony will include performances from Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and IShowSpeed, along with Jennifer Hudson singing the U.S. national anthem.
Yahoo Sports - The closing ceremony will celebrate the conclusion of the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup.
WPXI - The World Cup final will feature the winners of the semifinal matches: Argentina vs. England and France vs. Spain.
WHERE:
Complex - The closing ceremony will take place at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium).
WPXI - The event will be held in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
WHEN:
Complex - The closing ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. local time on July 19.
WPXI - The World Cup final is scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. ET on July 19.
NBC New York - The semifinal matches will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.
WHY:
Yahoo Sports - The closing ceremony aims to celebrate the journey of all 48 competing teams throughout the tournament.
Complex - The closing ceremony aims to celebrate the passion and global unity showcased throughout the tournament and honor the historic expansion to 48 participating nations.
HOW:
NBC New York - FIFA stated that fans at the stadium will have an active role to play in the show.
NBC New York - Fans are encouraged to arrive at the stadium early, with a recommendation to arrive four hours prior to kick-off to participate in the show.
Yahoo Sports - The ceremony will combine musical performances and other entertainment acts as a prelude to the match.
(UPDATED July 14, 2026 20:18 UTC)
The upcoming World Cup final will feature its first-ever halftime show, showcasing performances from stars like Justin Bieber, BTS, Shakira, and Madonna. During the closing ceremony, IShowSpeed will perform his hit song "World Cup (Champions)," which has already racked up an impressive 89 million views. Fans are encouraged to arrive at the stadium by 11 a.m. ET to enjoy additional pre-match entertainment, as FIFA emphasizes that attendees will have an active role in the celebration of all 48 teams' journeys throughout the tournament.
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(UPDATED July 14, 2026 19:22 UTC)
The closing ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be a star-studded event at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, featuring a special appearance by Tom Cruise. Performances will include artists like Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and IShowSpeed, with Jennifer Hudson singing the U.S. national anthem. This ceremony will celebrate the conclusion of the first-ever 48-team World Cup, highlighting the passion and unity that the tournament has inspired. Fans are encouraged to arrive early, with a recommendation to get to the stadium four hours before the 3 p.m. ET kick-off on July 19. The World Cup final will showcase the winners of the semifinal matches, which will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.