A star-studded lineup featuring actor Tom Cruise and popular streamer IShowSpeed is set to enliven the World Cup closing ceremony, as revealed by FIFA on Tuesday.
The organization provided insights into the event, slated to take place 90 minutes before the final match on Sunday. The ceremony’s purpose is to “celebrate the 48 teams’ unforgettable journey” across 16 host cities spanning three nations, according to FIFA.
IShowSpeed, renowned for his streaming of various matches, will perform, while Cruise is expected to make a “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,” The closing ceremony will also showcase performances by celebrated Italian vocalist Laura Pausini, who was involved in the opening of the Milan Cortina Olympics earlier this year; Tony Award winner and Pussycat Dolls member Nicole Scherzinger; and British musician Robbie Williams, a former member of Take That.
Acclaimed artist Jennifer Hudson, who holds the prestigious EGOT status, will sing the national anthem for the United States.
“This will be a historic moment for the Fifa World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world,”
said Heimo Schirgi, the World Cup’s chief operating officer.
In addition to the main ceremony, Sunday’s festivities will introduce the tournament’s inaugural half-time show, featuring an impressive lineup of additional performers. This closing ceremony is produced in partnership with Balich Wonder Studio, led by Marco Balich, who also directed the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The half-time show is set to include performances by Shakira, Madonna, and K-pop sensations BTS, with Chris Martin from Coldplay overseeing the event. “will have an active role to play in the show” FIFA president Gianni Infantino mentioned on Instagram.
FIFA has advised ticket holders to arrive early, assuring fans they “will have an active role to play in the show.” The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 1:30 PM ET at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with the match kick-off planned for 3:00 PM ET.
