TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The historic 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup is drawing to a close after weeks of matches across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Before the final whistle blows at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday, July 19, FIFA will host a massive pre-game celebration.
According to The Guardian, the closing ceremony will start at 1:30 p.m. ET (1:30 a.m. Western Indonesian Time of Monday, July 20), exactly 90 minutes before kickoff. "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," World Cup Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi said as reported by Sports Illustrated.
Produced by Balich Wonder Studio, which is the team behind the Qatar 2022 ceremonies, the show will also give fans in the stadium an active role to play.
Who Will Perform at the 2026 World Cup Closing Ceremony?
Iconic Hollywood actor Tom Cruise is slated for a "special appearance" during the pre-game festivities. Cruise has been a frequent face in the stands throughout this World Cup. The appearance follows his high-profile stunt during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he jumped off the roof of the Stade de France.
Famous internet personality IShowSpeed is also moving from the stands to the main stage. The popular streamer, who regularly attended and broadcasted several matches during the tournament, will officially feature in the performance. His ties to the event run deep, as he previously released a World Cup song that FIFA ended up including in its official album.
Ahead of the opening whistle, EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson will perform the United States national anthem. The Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award winner is set to open the biggest match of the tournament.
British frontman Robbie Williams is also returning to the global stage. Williams, who famously performed at the 2018 World Cup opening ceremony in Russia, will bring his veteran showmanship to the 2026 pre-game lineup.
Rounding out the global musical roster are American pop vocalist and Tony winner Nicole Scherzinger, of Pussycat Dolls fame, and Italian Grammy winner Laura Pausini. Pausini joins the event following her high-profile performance at the opening of the Milan Cortina Olympic events earlier this year.
A Historic Halftime Double Feature
This 15-to-20-minute closing ceremony serves as just the opening act for an unprecedented day of entertainment. In a first for the tournament, FIFA has partnered with Global Citizen to introduce a Super Bowl-style halftime show.
According to The Guardian, the mid-game concert will be curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin and features performances by Shakira, Madonna, and K-pop megastars BTS. FIFA President Gianni Infantino celebrated the addition on Instagram, stating, "This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world."
Read: 72 European Lawmakers Push FIFA Review of Gianni Infantino
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