FIFA has unveiled a unique line-up of entertainment for the FIFA World Cup 2026 closing ceremony, featuring Hollywood superstars. Tom Cruise with world music icons Jennifer Hudson, Robbie Williams and many other performers. The pre-match celebration will honor the historic 48-team edition of the tournament at the New York New Jersey Stadium before the world champions are crowned.According to FIFA’s announcement, the closing ceremony will feature a combination of music, culture and entertainment designed to celebrate the first ever 48-team FIFA World Cup. The event will take place around 90 minutes before the start of the final on Monday, July 20 (IST). The creative team behind the ceremony designed the scene to showcase the tournament’s month-long journey across three countries through music, storytelling and cultural celebration.
The: facilitators of the closing ceremony and national anthem:
Tom Cruise will make a special appearance during the pre-match event, joining an impressive roster of world music stars. Jennifer Hudson, an Academy Award-winning singer, will perform the national anthem of the United States before the start. Additional performers confirmed for the closing ceremony include Robbie Williams, Italian recording artist Laura Pausini, American singer Nicole Scherzinger, and internet sensation IShowSpeed, who will perform during the pre-match spectacle.The production was created by the creative force behind many iconic international game shows, designed to deliver a visually stunning experience. FIFA has indicated that additional surprise guests and performers may be announced in the run-up to the final.
Vision for the ceremony
FIFA World Cup 2026 Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi stated the purpose behind the ceremonial celebration. The ceremony was held to bring the tournament “full circle through music, culture and football” before the final kick-off, representing a comprehensive conclusion of a month of competition before the world champions are determined.With a record-breaking 48-team tournament reaching its conclusion, the closing ceremony aims to match the scale and ambition of the competition itself, setting the stage for a final celebration of football, music and global culture before the FIFA World Cup trophy is lifted.
A separate halftime show will feature additional superstars
Ahead of the closing ceremony, FIFA will stage a separate star-studded halftime show during the World Cup final, marking the tournament’s first-ever official halftime entertainment inspired by the Super Bowl format. Global music icons BTS, Madonna, Shakira and Justin Bieber are set to headline the historic 11-minute show. The halftime spectacle will also feature Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel and a Grammy-nominated choir performing alongside Coldplay.
BTS, Madonna and Shakira are among the global superstars scheduled to perform during the first ever official halftime show of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. Image credit (Instagram).
The halftime show was created in partnership with a global advocacy organization and Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Phil Harvey, who worked with FIFA to curate the artist lineup. The show will combine music, culture and football, bringing together some of the biggest entertainers in the world for a significant moment in the history of the FIFA World Cup.