FIFA has revealed an exciting array of performers for the World Cup closing ceremony, which includes renowned actor Tom Cruise and popular streamer IShowSpeed. This announcement was made on Tuesday.
Scheduled to take place 90 minutes before the final match on Sunday, the ceremony aims to honor the remarkable journey of the 48 competing teams across 16 host cities in three nations, as stated by FIFA.
IShowSpeed, who has gained fame for streaming various matches, will take the stage, while Cruise, noted for his presence in the stands and a stunt during the Paris Olympics’ closing event, is expected to make a “celebrate the 48 teams’ unforgettable journey” The event will also showcase Italian singer Laura Pausini, who performed at the Milan Cortina Olympics in February, alongside Nicole Scherzinger, a Tony Award winner and member of the Pussycat Dolls, and Robbie Williams, the former member of Take That.
Jennifer Hudson, an accomplished artist with an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony to her name, will deliver the United States national anthem.
“Echoing the spirit of the opening ceremonies, which welcomed the world to the greatest stage in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the closing ceremony will bring the Fifa World Cup 2026 full circle through music, culture and football, before we kick off the highly anticipated match that will crown the champions of this groundbreaking tournament,” said Heimo Schirgi, the World Cup’s chief operating officer.
In addition to the closing ceremony, Sunday will also feature the inaugural half-time show of the tournament, spotlighting a host of additional high-profile performers. This closing event is not a new idea for the World Cup, as it is produced in collaboration with Balich Wonder Studio, directed by Marco Balich, who previously oversaw the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The half-time show is set to include prominent artists such as Shakira, Madonna, and K-pop sensation BTS, with Chris Martin of Coldplay curating the performances. FIFA president Gianni Infantino remarked on Instagram, “This will be a historic moment for the Fifa World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world,”
FIFA has encouraged ticket holders to arrive early, assuring fans that they “will have an active role to play in the show” The festivities will begin at 1:30 PM ET at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with the final match slated for 3 PM ET.
