2026 World Cup Final Features Tom Cruise, Jennifer Hudson, Star-Studded Ceremony

FIFA revealed a star-studded closing ceremony lineup for the July 19, 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, featuring Tom Cruise in a special appearance, Jennifer Hudson performing the U.S. national anthem, and performances by Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and IShowSpeed. The ceremony precedes the final by 90 minutes and includes interactive fan participation.

Quick Facts

Closing ceremony lineup announced
Tom Cruise makes special appearance
Jennifer Hudson performs U.S. national anthem
Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams perform
IShowSpeed performs at closing ceremony

FIFA announced on Tuesday a lineup of A-list performers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final closing ceremony, scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The ceremony will take place 90 minutes before kickoff at 3 p.m. EST, with gates opening at 11 a.m. to allow fans early arrival.

The closing ceremony will feature performances from Italian singer Laura Pausini, American singer and Pussycat Dolls member Nicole Scherzinger, British singer Robbie Williams, and YouTube streamer IShowSpeed (Darren Watkins Jr.). Actor Tom Cruise will make a special appearance at the event. Jennifer Hudson, an EGOT winner with an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award, will perform a special rendition of the U.S. national anthem ahead of the match.

FIFA stated that the closing ceremony aims to "celebrate the 48 teams' unforgettable journey" through 16 host cities across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The production is being handled by Balich Wonder Studio, led by Marco Balich, who orchestrated the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. FIFA has encouraged fans to arrive early, noting that attendees "will have an active role to play in the show."

The halftime show will feature an additional lineup including Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, Burna Boy, Gustavo Daniel, Coldplay, and the New York-based PS22 Chorus. The four semifinal teams are Argentina (defending its 2022 title), England, France, and Spain. FIFA indicated that additional artists and special guests for the closing ceremony may be announced in the coming days.

Topics

Sports World Cup Entertainment

#FIFA World Cup 2026 #final #Tom Cruise #entertainment #MetLife Stadium #Jennifer Hudson #performers #closing ceremony

Entities

Why This Matters

The 2026 World Cup closing ceremony represents a major cultural moment for North American soccer. With A-list Hollywood and music talent confirmed, the broadcast appeal extends far beyond traditional football audiences, driving engagement for FIFA's largest audience yet. Early fan participation and gate opening details signal FIFA's focus on creating an immersive experience—directly affecting attendance, merchandise, and sponsorship ROI.

Timeline & Sources

Jul 14, 2026

Wire

FIFA announces closing ceremony and halftime show performer lineups

Jul 19, 2026

Wire

MetLife Stadium gates open for World Cup final

Jul 19, 2026

Wire

Closing ceremony begins at MetLife Stadium

Jul 19, 2026

Wire

FIFA World Cup final kickoff